Georgia School Leaders Reflect on Phone Bans

By: Kristine Edang | Seasonal Public Relations Intern | Digital4Good

In March of 2025, the General Assembly of Georgia passed House Bill 340, also known as the Georgia Distraction-Free Education Act. This act bans the use of cellphones and other personal devices by students during the school day. By July 1, 2026, all public schools in Georgia will be required to implement the act. 

With HB 340 being signed into law, Georgia parents have voiced concerns about the potential inability to contact their children during school hours and questioned how no-phone policies will impact students who require assistive technology. 

To explore the impact of recent bans, the Georgia Department of Education partnered with Emory University to host a virtual panel, “Lessons Learned.” Speakers included Deputy Superintendent Justin Hill of the Georgia Department of Education, Director of Secondary Education Jason Carter from Hall County, and Thomas County Principal Deann Garcia. 

Communicating the Policies

During the panel discussion, Principal Deann Garcia shared how she requested feedback on the policy from staff and teachers. To inform parents, Garcia’s school created flyers for their open houses and posts for social media. Parents were required to sign an “affirmation page” to indicate their awareness of the policy, which would then be given to homeroom teachers. 

Likewise, in Hall County, Director Jason Carter’s teachers disseminated information about their policy through social media outlets and open house flyers. 

Accommodations and Assistive Technology

Each panelist also discussed how they addressed technology accommodations for students. Garcia’s nursing staff had expressed concerns about diabetic students who required the use of devices to monitor their blood sugar levels. The teachers and nurses worked out individualized plans for each student, such as allowing them to keep the device in their backpacks to check periodically. In some cases, nurses were able to monitor students’ glucose levels remotely and created a group chat that would enable them to notify teachers in the event of an emergency. 

When Carter was a principal, he was the first in his county to pilot a cellphone policy for grades 9-12. Now, as Director of Secondary Education, his board has adopted a policy prohibiting the use of any device that connects to the internet, including smartwatches and Meta glasses. While students cannot access devices during instructional time, they are allowed to do so during class change and lunchtime. 

Carter also discussed his concern for students with anxiety disorders, for whom noise-canceling earbuds or headphones can prevent sensory overload. He is working with Student Services to create a solution that meets these students’ needs while adhering to the Distraction-Free Education Act. 

Impact on School Climate

Apart from the above limitation, both leaders’ policies have been met with generally positive outcomes. Removing the distractions of personal devices has lessened the pressure to constantly check notifications. As a result, students are more focused and engaged during class. 

Carter and Garcia also noted an increase in the frequency of student-to-student and student-to-teacher interactions. Previously shy, reserved students are opening up more around their peers.

Lastly, student discipline is improving, as both leaders are seeing a steady decline in policy violations, campus drama, and fights during school hours.

Key Takeaways From the Panel

1. Although parents were initially concerned about the bans, consistent communication has resulted in better buy-in. Listening to and incorporating feedback from the community is crucial.
2. Special considerations for students with disabilities, mental health disorders, and chronic health conditions must be taken into account when forming a new policy.
3. Creating a clear, focused personal electronic device policy can improve overall student engagement, discipline, and interactions. 

The Georgia Distraction-Free Education Act has shifted how students learn and interact with one another at school. While some adjustments are still pending, such as technology accommodations for students with anxiety, schools are already reporting positive results. As schools across Georgia follow the new legislation, administrators, educators, parents, and even students will continue working together to promote safer, more engaged school communities.

Georgia Schools #DIDHELP…Will You?

Georgia is just one of many U.S. states to consider or implement statewide school phone bans. It is important that we as students, leaders, and educators keep ourselves informed not just about when and why these policies are being implemented, but also how to practice digital wellness. Phone bans by themselves aren’t a one-and-done solution; students also need education on how to use technology responsibly and form healthy digital habits. 

Digital4Good is working to create a healthier digital future for all. Check out our website to learn how you can bring Digital4Good’s digital wellness programming to your school.