On March 25., a bill to ban cellphone use in elementary and middle schools was passed by the Georgia Senate. If signed by Governor Brian Kemp, it will take effect in July, 2026. This bill is also known as the “Distraction-Free Education Act,” and it will make exceptions for students with medical needs or disabilities, according to Fox5Atlanta.
During the 2013 shooting at Arapahoe High School in Colorado, students shared their cellphones to allow their classmates to contact their loved ones. According to Drift Net, “While having these devices didn’t have an effect on their immediate safety, it certainly had an impact on the wellness of the school community during a crisis.”
“I feel like it’s a safety hazard. What if something happens at school and you can’t contact your parents? While I understand that phones can be a distraction, there are other ways to deal with [a] phone’s problems and banning them entirely is a risk,” freshman Delilah Godwin said.
Nine other states have already banned cell phone use in elementary and middle schools. Bryon Broach is a sophomore at McIntosh High School and he has a younger sibling in school.
“I feel like parents should always be allowed to contact their kids. And when I used to go to middle school or elementary school, [the staff] didn’t really care as much, so I feel like they shouldn’t just randomly change it,” Broach said.
Along with the students, McIntosh parents also have their own opinions about this bill.
“I think it is wrong. I don’t think the kids should have free reign with them during instruction time, but they will always have a cell phone in life. They will have to learn to balance. I don’t like knowing that there are times of bad weather or lockdowns where my child can’t contact me if they want,” Michelle Kalpakci, the mother of junior, Yasemin Kalpakci said.
While this bill hasn’t been signed into law yet, there’s already been lots of approval among lawmakers.
According to Newschannel9.com, “the Governor of Georgia is considering a similar proposal,” and, “Georgia lawmakers showed overwhelming support.”
It’s now on Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk, waiting for his signature.
