LISTEN: Marietta School Superintendent Grant Riviera says teachers are reacting positively to the district's cellphone ban. GPB's Sarah Kallis explains.

Grant Riviera

Marietta City Schools Superintendent says teachers approve of classroom cell phone ban.

Credit: Georgia State Senate livestream

Teachers say that classroom cellphone bans positively impact schools, according to two new studies.

A state Senate study committee looking into the effects of social media on children heard results of a survey from Kennesaw State University that examined the effect of cellphone bans in Marietta middle schools Wednesday. 

That ban was implemented at the start of the 2024 school year.

Marietta City Schools superintendent Grant Riviera said the study found 90% of middle school teachers in the district believe the bans have helped academically, and students are reporting less bullying.

"These students have transitioned beautifully," he said. "They can learn better, they're socializing better, and they tell us that overwhelmingly on the statewide survey that we can see in our district." 

Earlier this year, Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 340. It bans the use of cellphones by public school students in grades K through eighth during the school day starting in July 2026. 

A Georgia Southern University study also presented during Wednesday's committee meeting showed that 80% to 90% of teachers surveyed supported HB 340, and believe it will reduce behavior problems in their classrooms. The same study found that 97% of students misuse devices like phones, tablets or smartwatches during class. 

Tags: Georgia  schools  cellphones  children  law  Marietta