Williamson County Bans Most Student Phone Use at School, Board Members Cite Mental Health and Focus Concerns
Posted 11:21 AM, July 26, 2025 and last updated 11:22 AM, July 26, 2025
Written by: Katerine Gerasimenko, TN Firefly
Editor's Note: This story has been updated from its original version to include the latest developments.
Starting this fall, students in Williamson County Schools will face significant new restrictions on personal cell phone use during the day, as the school board has unanimously approved a new policy aimed at improving student mental health and academic focus.
Under the new rules, students in grades K-8 will be required to keep their phones away and silenced at all times during school hours. High school students will have slightly more flexibility, with permission to use their phones during their designated lunch periods, but not during instructional time or in hallways between classes.
The move comes in response to a new state law that requires all Tennessee public school districts to adopt policies limiting student phone use during instructional time. However, Williamson County's policy goes further than the state minimum, expanding the restrictions beyond the classroom to include recess, transitions, and most of the school day.
During the board meeting, members cited a growing body of research on the negative impacts of constant digital access on adolescents. Board member Dr. Claire Reeves referenced data from Jonathan Haidt's recent book, The Anxious Generation, which examines the psychological effects of digital life, as a key factor in the decision.
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Dr. Reeves also advocated for an even stricter "away for the day" model that would eliminate the lunch exception for high school students. “I believe we should be leaders in this regard, and the data is very, very clear on phone and wireless devices in schools,” she said during the meeting.
While the board ultimately approved the current policy, the discussion highlighted the widespread concern among parents and educators about the role of technology in schools. The new rules, which go into effect in the fall of 2025, make Williamson County one of the first districts in the state to implement such a comprehensive, full-day restriction.
