Lawmakers in Tennessee and Georgia are taking bold steps to curb cell phone use in schools. Last week, they passed legislation aimed at boosting safety and focus in classrooms.
Tennessee’s Senate voted unanimously 30-0 on Thursday, March 6, 2025, to mandate local school boards adopt policies banning cell phones during instructional time, while Georgia’s House approved the “Distraction-Free Education Act” 143-20 on Tuesday, targeting K -8 students with an all-day ban.
In Tennessee, the Senate bill—echoing a House version passed Monday—requires school districts to restrict cellphone and wireless device use during lessons, with exceptions for educational purposes or health needs. Set to take effect in the 2025-26 school year, the measure addresses mounting concerns over distractions and safety.
READ: Op-Ed: Jeffries’ Delusion Claims Democrats Have GOP “On The Run” Despite Total Republican Dominance
Sen. Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City) highlighted emergency scenarios like school shootings, noting, “Research has shown that when everyone has phones, it messes up the entire safety plan.”
Hamblen County Schools Superintendent Arnold Bunch, overseeing 10,000 students, testified to the House Education Committee about the chaos cell phones have wrought.
“Personal communication devices were undermining safety and negatively impacting the learning environment,” he said, citing drug deals, threats of violence, bullying, cheating, and the sharing of illicit images—all orchestrated via phones. Hamblen County already enforces a full-day ban, a model the state may now emulate.
READ: Former Georgia Rep. Stacey Abrams’ $2 Billion EPA Haul: Green Grants Or Vote Grab?
Meanwhile, Georgia’s House Bill 340 takes a stricter stance, banning cell phones all day for K-8 students starting July 2026, with exceptions only for health-related needs. Schools and districts will decide punishments for violators, leaving flexibility in enforcement. The bill now heads to the Georgia Senate, where it’s expected to face debate but has strong momentum after its landslide House approval.
Both states’ moves reflect a growing backlash against technology’s grip on education. Tennessee’s bipartisan support—30-0 in the Senate—and Georgia’s overwhelming House vote signal a rare consensus: cell phones are a liability in schools.
READ: Florida Sen. Scott Joins Tennessee Sen. Blackburn On ‘WHO Is Accountable Act’
Critics who raised emergency-use concerns were overruled by evidence of disrupted safety protocols, while advocates argue the bans will restore order and learning. As these bills advance, Tennessee and Georgia are poised to lead a regional push for distraction-free classrooms.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
