As Tennessee students gear up for the new school year, a major change is heading their way — and it’s not about books or uniforms. It’s about cell phone policies in schools. Thanks to House Bill 932, passed back in March, students will no longer be allowed to use cell phones, tablets, laptops, or gaming devices during the school day. That means no screens from bell to bell.
Bradley County Schools and Cleveland City Schools have now laid out exactly how they’ll enforce this statewide rule. Both districts are taking a firm approach: students must turn off their devices and keep them completely out of sight during the school day.
This isn’t just about reducing noise. School officials hope this move will cut down on distractions, improve student safety online, lower cyberbullying cases, and encourage more face-to-face interaction. And for emergencies? The districts say they’ll continue to communicate with families quickly.
Some parents are fully on board. Jessica Mills, a mother of two, said, “The more focus that kids have in school, and if that means cutting phones out, I’m all for it.” Others, like Desiree Wells, are a bit more cautious. “I just want to be able to check in with my child during the day. Not for social media — just in case something comes up,” she shared.
Bradley County has set clear consequences. First offense? The phone stays at school for the day. Second time? It’ll cost parents $50 or wait 7 days. A third offense bumps that to $100 or a 15-day hold. Cleveland City is letting principals fine-tune their own rules, but the message is clear: school time is for learning, not texting.
Smartwatches, earbuds, and MP3 players are also part of the ban, depending on the district. Exceptions will still apply for students with health plans or special learning needs.
Overall, these new school phone rules in Tennessee mark a shift toward quieter, more focused classrooms — and it’s a move that might just stick.