From kindergarten to eighth grade, Georgia's bell-to-bell cellphone ban begins

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Starting today, students across Georgia in kindergarten through eighth grade will be subject to a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones, smart watches and other personal electronic devices, the first statewide restriction of its kind in the country.

The new law, signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in May, requires public school districts to adopt policies that keep devices powered off and out of sight from the first bell of the day to the last. The rules expand to high school students beginning with the 2027-28 school year.

More than 100 new Georgia laws take effect today — here's what changes

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

More than 100 new Georgia laws take effect Wednesday, touching nearly every area of state government and daily life — from a bell-to-bell cellphone ban in K-8 classrooms to new rules for HOAs, school-zone speed cameras, and the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget.

Here’s a look at the most consequential changes Georgians will see:

Schools

Students in kindergarten through eighth grade will be subject to a “bell-to-bell” ban on cellphones, smart watches and other personal electronic devices beginning Wednesday. High school students will face the same restrictions next school year. Many districts have already implemented creative storage solutions; the new law sets a statewide floor.

Cellphone-Ban on WACN 21 News

From kindergarten to eighth grade, Georgia's bell-to-bell cellphone ban begins

More than 100 new Georgia laws take effect today — here's what changes