Atlanta, GA – Georgia lawmakers have passed a bill that will prohibit elementary and middle school students from using cellphones during the school day, a move that has drawn both strong support and serious concerns regarding student safety.
The bill, which received overwhelming legislative approval, now heads to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk for his signature. If signed into law, the new regulation would require roughly one million K-8 students across the state to store their phones away from bell to bell.
State Senator Jason Anavitarte, a proponent of the bill, emphasized the need for change in classroom culture. “Hopefully, this will have an impact and change some of the culture that we’ve seen in terms of social media and things happening where teachers are having to monitor phones versus doing their practicum and lessons during class time,” Anavitarte said.
However, the legislation has sparked concerns, particularly among those who view cellphones as a vital tool during emergencies. Layla Contreras, whose sister was at Apalachee High School during last year’s deadly shooting, voiced her fears. “They had access. It was on their person at the time and during this incident that was sometimes the only way we could see if they were still alive,” Contreras said.
While the bill mandates phone restrictions, it leaves decisions on storage methods up to individual school districts. Some, like Marietta City Schools, have already implemented similar policies using magnetic Yondr pouches to secure devices during the school day.
The bill’s sponsor pointed to the positive impact of existing policies in some Georgia districts, claiming they have fostered greater student interaction and improved socialization during class breaks.
If signed, the legislation is set to take effect statewide next summer.
(Credit: WJCL News)
