House Bill 340, known as the Georgia Distraction-Free Education Act, bans personal communication devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and headphones in elementary and middle schools from the first to the last bell of the school day. This includes instructional time, breaks, transitions, assemblies and other school-related activities.
The law takes effect in July 2026, with school districts required to establish methods for storing students’ devices by January 2026, such as in lockers or designated classroom areas. Exemptions are allowed for students with Individualized Education Plans or medical plans requiring device use.
Middle Georgia school districts such as Bibb County already restrict cellphone use in classrooms. Bibb County board of education members discussed last year potentially adding stricter revisions to its cellphone policy that currently states students can have personally owned devices, but they must be turned off and out of sight during the day. Personally owned electronic devices are not permitted for use unless authorized by the superintendent or designee, the policy adds.
The board took no action on policy revisions, but explored methods to address cellphone use, including collecting devices, considering stakeholder feedback and enhancing disciplinary actions for student conduct violations of unauthorized media. Bibb County Schools could not be reached for comment on the new law prior to publication.
The Peach County School District also already has an existing policy that prohibits the use of personal cell phones and devices, Peach County Schools Human Administrative Assistant Marla Seller said in an email.
“Therefore, no additional changes are currently necessary,” Seller said.
Rep. Tangie Herring (D-Macon) said her nearly 30 years in education showed her first-hand how cellphone distractions can significantly impact student learning.
“HB 340 provides statewide consistency, supporting and strengthening local policies like those in Bibb County by clearly outlining expectations and ensuring that every child benefits from a focused learning environment, no matter their district,” Herring told The Telegraph in an email.
Sponsors of the bill have considered extending the measure to high schools.
But Shannon Schewe, a Byron parent of three, criticizes the government’s focus on technology over emergency safety. She said her 11th-grade son excels academically with his phone on silent.
“As a mom, you’re taking away communication with my children,” Schewe said, recalling a gun threat incident at Warner Robins High School. “My son sent me a message to come get him because someone brought a gun. As parents, we were notified hours after school let out. What if my son had been shot and killed?”
HB 340 requires districts to adopt clear emergency communication procedures and establish alternative methods for parents to contact students directly through the school.
Herring said the bill does not punish students with legitimate and approved uses, including emergency situations or special circumstances authorized by parents and school personnel.
“I understand the concerns of parents worried about communication and emergencies,” Herring added. “Our shared goal is a safer, more focused and more supportive educational environment for all students, free from unnecessary distractions.”
Margaret Ciccarelli, director of legislative services for the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, said the organization supports the law. Last year, the association conducted a statewide survey on educator workforce issues that gained nearly 4,000 responses, with nearly 70 percent of middle school teachers identifying cellphone use and social media as major issues in their schools.
“That is the problem that we were hoping to address with this legislation,” Ciccarelli said.
“Middle and elementary schools that already have bans will have to amend their policies to ensure that the minimum threshold is in alignment with the law, and they’ve got a year to do it,” Ciccarelli added. “How they want to implement at the local level will be left up to individual school districts and individual schools to discuss in consultation with staff, parents and potentially the students themselves.”
© 2025 The Macon Telegraph (Macon, Ga.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
