A Georgia bill headed to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk for final approval would ban personal devices during the day for kindergarten, elementary and middle school students.
The Georgia Senate passed House Bill 340 by a vote of 54-2 on Tuesday.
It would require public schools and school systems to establish protocols for restricting access to and storing devices like smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, e-readers, Bluetooth headphones and more. Schools would also create their own policies for device usage during extracurricular and off-campus activities. Schools would need to adopt policies by Jan. 1, 2026, and implement the ban by July 1, 2026….
“This bill isn’t just about academics, it’s about students’ well-being. Studies link excessive phone use to mental health issues, decrease in social skills, and increase in bullying,” he said Tuesday. “We want students engaged in school, socializing with friends during lunch and focusing in the classroom.”
Margaret Ciccarelli, director of legislative services of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, GeorgiaCAN executive director Michael O’Sullivan and Southeast legislative director for ExcelinEd in Action Miranda Williams spoke in support of the bill last week in committee.
Though the Republican-sponsored bill has enjoyed broad support from lawmakers of both parties and education advocates, it did not pass without some discussion.
