{"id":2392,"date":"2025-01-30T19:37:21","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T19:37:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/?page_id=2392"},"modified":"2026-01-21T11:48:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T11:48:00","slug":"executive-order-43-governor-youngkins-reclaiming-childhood-effort","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.vdh.virginia.gov\/clinicians\/executive-order-43-governor-youngkins-reclaiming-childhood-effort\/","title":{"rendered":"Executive Order 43: Governor Youngkin\u2019s Reclaiming Childhood Effort"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"VDH<\/a><\/p>\n

Executive Order 43: Governor Youngkin\u2019s Reclaiming Childhood Effort<\/strong><\/p>\n

January 30, 2025<\/p>\n

Dear Colleague:<\/p>\n

Today, adolescent use of the internet, social media, and smartphones is almost universal<\/a>, with 95% of teenagers ages 13 to 17 reporting that they use some form of social media; 97% reporting they use the internet daily; and 95% reporting access to smartphones. Recent studies have revealed that teenagers spend on average nearly 5 hours<\/a> a day on social media.<\/p>\n

According to the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General<\/a>, \u201cchildren and adolescents are affected by social media in different ways based on their individual strengths and vulnerabilities and based on cultural, historical, and socio-economic factors.\u201d Social media can provide benefits<\/a> for isolated youth and for youth with disabilities, by providing them with connections and helping them feel accepted.<\/p>\n

At the same time, emerging research<\/a> has demonstrated that adolescents who are exposed to extreme, inappropriate, or harmful content on social media are at risk of developing mental health issues. Negative effects<\/a> can specifically include concerns about body image, thoughts or acts of self-harm, and issues with self-esteem. There is evidence<\/a> to suggest that youth who spend more than three hours a day on social media have double<\/em> the risk of poor mental health, including experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Additionally, research links<\/a> prolonged screen time to obesity, sleep problems, and poor academic performance.<\/p>\n

Parents, educators, and clinicians in Virginia all have important roles to play in monitoring social media and internet use for its impacts on mental health. Clinicians are uniquely positioned to talk with patients and families about social media use, screen for cell phone and social media usage along with mental health issues, connect families to resources, and promote healthy behaviors.<\/p>\n

On November 21, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin issued Executive Order 43<\/a> (2024) to promote education and collaboration among parents, medical professionals, and educators in Virginia to improve mental health, academic development, and chronic health conditions among adolescents who regularly use cell phones and social media.<\/p>\n

The following resources are recommended for clinicians related to youth mental health and social media:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Governor Youngkin\u2019s Reclaiming Childhood<\/a> effort is aimed at improving youth mental health outcomes by increasing awareness about the dangers of addictive social media and creating opportunities for cultural change. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at Reclaimchildhood@governor.virginia.gov<\/a>.<\/li>\n
  2. The National Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health<\/a> serves as a centralized source for evidence-based education and technical assistance to support the mental health of children and adolescents as they navigate social media. It includes various resources for education, screening and assessment, including:\n
      \n
    1. The 5 Cs of Social Media Use \u2013 A quick and simple way to discuss digital use with families<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. Social Media Screening Questions <\/a>(AAP)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    3. The Virginia Mental Health Access Program<\/a> (VMAP), promotes the integration of mental and behavioral health services into pediatric primary care through training, technical assistance, and teleconsultation. To engage in services with VMAP, please call 1-888-371-8627 x 2.<\/li>\n
    4. The Virginia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has developed school health resources<\/a> for healthcare providers and the Cell Phone Exemption Consensus statement<\/a> to help navigate questions about medical requirements for cell phone use in schools.<\/li>\n
    5. Keeping teens safe on social media: What parents should know to protect their kids<\/a> (American Psychological Association<\/a>, 2024)<\/li>\n
    6. Screen Time & Technology: Learn how to help kids use screens in a healthy way.<\/a> (Child Mind Institute)<\/li>\n
    7. Cellphones and Devices: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers<\/a> (Common Sense Media)<\/li>\n
    8. 4 Conversations to Have with Older Kids and Teens About Their Screen Time Habits<\/a> (Common Sense Media)<\/li>\n
    9. National Scientific Council on Adolescents \u2013 Council Report No. 2<\/a><\/li>\n
    10. Hear from Jonathan Haidt, social psychologist and author of the book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness at <\/em>Commonwealth Conversation on Restoring Childhood Through Common Sense Approaches to Social Media and Cell Phones<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to improving and prioritizing the well-being of adolescents in the Commonwealth.<\/p>\n

      Sincerely,<\/p>\n

      Karen Shelton, MD
      \nState Health Commissioner<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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