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Bill

HB 340

Distraction-Free Education Act; enact

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carter Barrett and 5 co-sponsors

Georgia law restricts student smartphone and social media use during school instructional time to reduce distractions and improve academic focus.

Effective Date
#education
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Bill Summary · HB 340

Legislative bill overview

HB 340, the Distraction-Free Education Act, restricts the use of mobile devices and social media in Georgia schools during instructional time. The bill requires schools to implement policies limiting student access to smartphones and social media platforms during the school day to minimize classroom distractions and improve academic focus.

Why is this important

Student device use during class has been shown to impact academic performance and classroom management. This legislation addresses growing concerns about smartphone-related distractions in educational settings and gives schools a legal framework to enforce device restrictions, which could affect millions of Georgia students' daily school experience.

Potential points of contention

  • First Amendment concerns: Restricting student access to information and communication platforms raises questions about free speech and students' right to information access
  • Equity and access issues: Policies may disadvantage students who rely on phones for accessibility accommodations, learning apps, or emergency family contact
  • Implementation challenges: Schools must define "instructional time," determine enforcement methods, and address violations consistently across diverse student populations and grade levels
  • Parental authority conflicts: Parents may object to schools limiting their ability to contact children or restricting devices they purchased for safety purposes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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