What do Georgia’s cellphone bans mean for Savannah-area students?
Written by Walinda P. West
With Gov. Brian Kemp signing new legislation expanding restrictions on personal electronic devices in public schools, students across Georgia, including those in Savannah, are preparing for a different classroom experience. House Bill 1009, which Kemp signed into law in May 2026, extends the state’s existing “bell-to-bell” cellphone restrictions to public high schools beginning in the 2027–28 school year, building on earlier statewide limits for elementary and middle schools.
In 2025, Kemp had signed House Bill 340, creating a law that would prohibit K–8 students in public schools from using electronic devices such as cellphones, tablets, and smartwatches during the school day by July 2026. Public schools were required to come up with a plan for implementation by January 2026…