Decision Makers:
Glenn Easterwood, Michelle Simmons, Lynn Lindley, D.T. Jackson, Tracy Rookard, and Dr. Trent North
The Georgia General Assembly has passed a law requiring school districts to implement a student cell phone restriction policy beginning with the 2027–2028 school year. This petition asks the Douglas County School System not to implement the policy before it is required by state law.
Students, parents, teachers, and the community deserve the opportunity to prepare for this significant change. Implementing the policy early would remove that adjustment period and could create unnecessary concerns, especially for high school students who may rely on their phones for communication with family in emergencies, transportation, jobs, and after-school activities.
By waiting until the state-required implementation date, Douglas County can use the extra year to gather meaningful feedback from students, parents, teachers, and school staff, evaluate the best way to enforce the policy, and develop solutions that address safety and practical concerns before the mandate takes effect.
By signing this petition, you are asking the Douglas County School System to follow the state’s timeline and use the time before the 2027–2028 school year to listen to the community rather than implementing the policy ahead of schedule.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
July 26, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
July 23, 2026
We reached 50 signatures ⭐️
July 22, 2026
Thanks for the support! All comments and signatures will be presented to the school board! Each signature = your voice being heard.
70 Comments
Schools are not safe enough to ban phones. Why would we erase the students way of contact when there are 230 estimated gunfire incidents in these schools per year, that’s not safe nor helpful
I’m signing this law because these students are high schoolers whom are becoming adults. Phones shouldn’t be used for ill intent but for safety reasons. Those who aren’t ready to take responsibility for their learning will deal with their actions later.
I'm signing this petition because the significance of the ban serves no purpose in helping our peers learn better. We need our phones in our daily lives to communicate with our families, access important information, stay safe incase of an emergency, and keep up with responsibilities outside of school. Phones are also useful with educational tools when used appropriately. Instead of a complete ban, you should focus responsibility of the use of them. Thank you.
· petition starter
Implementing this policy before it is required is concerning because it gives students less time to prepare for a major change that affects their daily lives. Many students rely on their phones to communicate with parents about transportation, family emergencies, and unexpected situations during or after school. Moving up the timeline for apparently no reason can create unnecessary stress and uncertainty.
My student should be able to use their personal laptop to complete their schoolwork and not a laptop that has touched many hands and Homes and not sanitized.
this is unsafe & dangerous + be so serious
Because I am a student, and we need our phones to have a safe and effective work environment
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Decision Makers:
Glenn Easterwood, Michelle Simmons, Lynn Lindley, D.T. Jackson, Tracy Rookard, and Dr. Trent North
The Georgia General Assembly has passed a law requiring school districts to implement a student cell phone restriction policy beginning with the 2027–2028 school year. This petition asks the Douglas County School System not to implement the policy before it is required by state law.
Students, parents, teachers, and the community deserve the opportunity to prepare for this significant change. Implementing the policy early would remove that adjustment period and could create unnecessary concerns, especially for high school students who may rely on their phones for communication with family in emergencies, transportation, jobs, and after-school activities.
By waiting until the state-required implementation date, Douglas County can use the extra year to gather meaningful feedback from students, parents, teachers, and school staff, evaluate the best way to enforce the policy, and develop solutions that address safety and practical concerns before the mandate takes effect.
By signing this petition, you are asking the Douglas County School System to follow the state’s timeline and use the time before the 2027–2028 school year to listen to the community rather than implementing the policy ahead of schedule.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
July 26, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
July 23, 2026
We reached 50 signatures ⭐️
July 22, 2026
Thanks for the support! All comments and signatures will be presented to the school board! Each signature = your voice being heard.
70 Comments
this is import to me because me as a kid i don’t really like talk to people i get very such and sometimes i use music to calm my anxiety down and relax myself im signing this petition because im a person who suffers with anxiety and music helps me a lot im not a person who uses my phone in class but in the hallways i dont like the loud noise and use music to calm myself down
Schools are not safe enough to ban phones. Why would we erase the students way of contact when there are 230 estimated gunfire incidents in these schools per year, that’s not safe nor helpful
I’m signing this law because these students are high schoolers whom are becoming adults. Phones shouldn’t be used for ill intent but for safety reasons. Those who aren’t ready to take responsibility for their learning will deal with their actions later.
I'm signing this petition because the significance of the ban serves no purpose in helping our peers learn better. We need our phones in our daily lives to communicate with our families, access important information, stay safe incase of an emergency, and keep up with responsibilities outside of school. Phones are also useful with educational tools when used appropriately. Instead of a complete ban, you should focus responsibility of the use of them. Thank you.
· petition starter
Implementing this policy before it is required is concerning because it gives students less time to prepare for a major change that affects their daily lives. Many students rely on their phones to communicate with parents about transportation, family emergencies, and unexpected situations during or after school. Moving up the timeline for apparently no reason can create unnecessary stress and uncertainty.
My student should be able to use their personal laptop to complete their schoolwork and not a laptop that has touched many hands and Homes and not sanitized.
this is unsafe & dangerous + be so serious
Because I am a student, and we need our phones to have a safe and effective work environment
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Share it with friends to help reach 500 signatures.
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this is import to me because me as a kid i don’t really like talk to people i get very such and sometimes i use music to calm my anxiety down and relax myself im signing this petition because im a person who suffers with anxiety and music helps me a lot im not a person who uses my phone in class but in the hallways i dont like the loud noise and use music to calm myself down