A Georgia lawmaker has filed legislation which would require schools to implement policies that limit access to cell phones and other digital devices during the school day.
State Representative Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners) recently introduced the legislation aimed at “creating distraction-free learning environments.” The bill, if passed, would only apply to students in grades K-8. The hope, Hilton said in a press release, is “ensuring students remain engaged in their education without unnecessary interruptions.”
Specifically, the bill would require schools to limit access to devices “for the purpose of communication, internet access, gaming, recording, listening to music, or any other function associated with personal electronic devices.” It would also:
- bar access from ‘bell-to-bell,’ meaning the first bell of the day to the final bell of the school day. There would be no exception for scheduled breaks, transitions, or assemblies.
- include any device that you hold, wear, or otherwise use, including smart watches, smart phones, tablets, e-readers, headphones, and other devices.
- require school systems to establish methods for storing devices, such as lockers, locked pouches, or a designated place in the classroom.
- require exceptions for students with IEP/504 Plans/medical plans which explicitly mandate use of a personal electronic device for medical or educational purposes.
“Our schools should be places of learning, free from the distractions of social media and non-educational screen time,” said Rep. Hilton. “This legislation ensures that Georgia students can focus on what matters most— their education, personal development and mental health. This initiative aligns with growing national momentum toward phone-free schools, a bipartisan movement that has gained traction across the country. Research, including the acclaimed work of social psychologist Dr. Jonathan Haidt and data from the American Academy of Pediatrics, has underscored the negative impact of excessive phone use on student mental health, focus and academic performance.
Studies show that limiting phone access during the school day leads to improved classroom engagement, better academic outcomes and healthier social interactions among students. Across the country, states and school districts are enacting policies to ensure schools are phone-free, recognizing that constant digital distractions hinder student learning and contribute to rising concerns about mental health and well-being. By implementing structured policies that remove these distractions, schools create an environment that supports both academic success and mental health. In 2024, at least 19 states passed bills or enacted policies that restrict cell phone use in schools statewide or encourage local districts to establish their own restrictions. More than half the states are considering similar legislation so far this year.
Teachers report that classroom disruptions caused by phone use make instruction more difficult, while parents and administrators see the benefits of reducing screen time during the school day. More than half of surveyed Georgia teachers say cell phones and social media are a major issue in their schools across all grades, with over 85 percent of high school teachers and 68 percent of 6-th grade teachers reporting phones as a problem.”
The bill would take effect January 1, 2026 with policies being required to be adopted by local school systems by August 1, 2025.
House Bill 340 already has bipartisan support in the Georgia House, though the top six sponsors are the bill are Republicans. Donned, “The Distraction-Free Schools Act,” the bill has the backing of Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, Representatives Houston Gaines, Carmen Rice, Carter Barrett, and Will Wade.
HB 340 has been assigned to the House Committee on Education.
