"We are seeing a real and growing problem in our classrooms," said the bill's sponsor, state Rep. Michele Reneau, R-Hixson. "We still have kids who are struggling to read. We have shorter attention spans, and we have students struggling to retain what they learn.
"At the same time, digital devices have become the default method of instruction for many of our youngest learners," she added. "Research is increasingly clear that this is problematic."
House Bill 2393, which has been amended since its original filing, requires school districts that serve kindergarten through fifth grade students to adopt a policy that governs their digital device use.
The policy must prioritize teacher-led instruction and non-electronic materials as the main type of instruction for elementary students, as well as prohibit elementary students from accessing social media platforms during the school day. It does not prevent school staff from using devices for instruction or other professional purposes, and it includes exceptions for virtual schools, certain students with disabilities and required state tests that are administered electronically.
Children learn best from teachers when there is real interaction and relationships that technology cannot replicate, Reneau said.
"Young students develop literacy and reasoning through books, handwriting, discussion and direct instruction," she said. "Technology can support those goals, but it should not replace the foundations of learning, and that's what this legislation addresses."
The legislation would go into effect July 1. It cleared the Tennessee House 87-6 on Thursday.
Before the vote, state Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, raised concerns about how digital devices are defined by the bill, noting that elementary teachers in the school district he represents often use digital whiteboards.
"I understand the spirit of legislation," said Clemmons, who ultimately voted for the bill. "I agree with the spirit of legislation and your intent. I'm just concerned about if we're basically taking the chalkboard away from the teachers as they're currently used today."
Reneau said the bill's intent was specifically focused on one-to-one devices that a student learns through, and it was not trying to take away other tools that teachers might use.
The bill passed the state Senate on March 16. It now heads to Gov. Bill Lee's desk for his signature.
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