Lawmaker says phones hurting focus, social skills in Georgia schools

Gena Tripp, WMGT 41

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Georgia lawmakers recently passed a new law expanding cell phone restrictions in public schools to include high school students.

The measure, known as House Bill 1009, builds on a 2025 law that already banned cell phone use through 8th grade. The new law extends those restrictions into high school classrooms statewide, though it will not fully take effect until the 2027 school year.

Sen. Larry Walker said the legislation responds to concerns from educators and parents about how cell phones are affecting students in the classroom.

“There’s been a lot of studies that have shown that children are not socializing with others and gaining those people skills because they’re spending so much screen time on their phone,” Walker said. “Also, it’s a big distraction for the classroom and for the teachers and for the students to be able to learn.”

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