SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – A potential ban on cell phones could come to many Georgia schools.
Eight states have already banned them and Georgia could be next. Lawmakers say that they have become a distraction and in some cases, even dangerous.
Georgia neighbors both to the north and the south have already enacted similar bans. After watching the Georgia House Education Committee deliberate Monday, a phone ban could come to our region too.
“When we look back on this, it’s going to be like, my goodness why did we ever allow phones in the classroom.”
Georgia lawmakers have proposed a bill that would take cellphone policing in classrooms out of the hands of educators and put it into state law banning them for students from Kindergarten to 8th grade.
In Monday’s education committee meeting, full support from lawmakers with a few changes on start dates and clarification.
“As Much Money as we spend on our kids, let’s get cellphones out of their hands and let them get back to learning, and being happy healthy students,” said Rep. Scott Hilton (R) GA, District 48.
South Carolina has already implemented a full cellphone ban in schools and Beaufort County schools superintendent, Frank Rodriguez says the ban has been a smooth transition.
“Our students, they responded well to it, overall, I am very very proud of our students and how they responded to it, so overall I think it was a good experience,” said Rodriguez.
Although it may be too soon to tell from a learning standpoint, Rodriguez says the feedback from the county’s teachers is enough to confirm to him it was the right move.
“The teachers say that the students are more focused, during instruction,” said Rodriguez.
If Georgia lawmakers move forward with a ban, it would be implemented in the 2026-2027 school year.
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