he Cobb County Board of Education has approved a new policy that will clear phones, smartwatches, and similar gadgets out of elementary and middle school classrooms beginning July 1, 2026. The decision came in response to Georgia’s Distraction-Free Education Act, a statewide law that requires districts to remove personal electronic devices from the school day. In short, the state wants students looking at their teachers instead of their screens, a concept many parents have been trying to accomplish at the dinner table for years.
During Thursday’s 11/11/25 board meeting, Superintendent Chris Ragsdale noted that Cobb already had rules on the books for student devices, and those accounted for less than 0.02 percent of discipline cases. Still, state law now sets the bar, so the district is required to formalized the ban and follow the new mandate.
Post 2 board member Becky Sayler pointed out that headphones will no longer be allowed for students, which is a change from previous CCSD guidelines. Students who rely on a device as part of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or documented medical need will continue using approved electronics as directed by their plans.
At its core, the new rule limits access to personal devices anywhere on school grounds during school hours (termed bell to bell). That includes phones, smartwatches, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, and gadgets with messaging, browsing, gaming, or recording features. Any student found tapping, swiping, or scrolling at the wrong time will face progressive discipline based on the existing Student Code of Conduct. Parents wishing to reach their child during the day will now need to call the front office.
The official policy also clarifies that families are responsible for any personal device brought to campus, with the district taking no liability for damage or loss. School-issued equipment remains unaffected, so laptops and tablets supplied by the district still function as part of instruction.
Georgia’s Distraction-Free Education Act shapes similar rules statewide, directing districts to secure student devices in lockers, pouches, or other storage solutions and outlining steps for emergencies and parent communication. Supporters believe the change will help students stay focused and feel less pressure to monitor constant alerts. Kids, meanwhile, may discover that life away from constant notifications can be surprisingly peaceful.
The new county policy goes into effect beginning on July 1, 2026.
Cobb County School District Board of Education Policy:
Use of Personal Electronic Devices by Students
The Cobb County Board of Education (Board) seeks to promote a positive learning environment free from electronic distractions. In accordance with the “Distraction Free Education Act” (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-324.8), students in grades K-8 are not permitted to access personal electronic devices while on school grounds during school hours, including but not limited to cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, e-readers, headphones, earbuds, and other devices with functionalities such as wireless communication, internet access, messaging, video recording, gaming, social media access, or data transmission during school hours. Any student found in violation of this policy and/or district rules/procedures during the school day shall be subject to progressive discipline consequences as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct (Administrative Rule JCDA-R).
A student whose Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Section 504 Plan, or medical plan explicitly mandates the use of a personal electronic device shall be permitted access to the device as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the respective plan. Parents wishing to reach their child during school hours should contact their child’s school directly.
Neither the Cobb County School District (District), individual schools, nor District employees shall assume any responsibility or liability for the theft, loss, or damage to a personal communication device.
Nothing in this policy is intended to interfere with student access to school equipment provided to students for instructional purposes.
