Skip to main content
Friday, November 6, 2026Nov 6

This story is exclusive to subscribers.

Free Press Opinion: Hamilton County Schools’ digital device policy should be consistent but flexible

Photo By Hamilton County Schools / Nolan Elementary students perform work on their laptop computers in 2024.
Photo By Hamilton County Schools / Nolan Elementary students perform work on their laptop computers in 2024. Photo By Hamilton County Schools / Nolan Elementary students perform work on their laptop computers in 2024.

Until babies are implanted with an internet connectivity chip at birth — we jest, we jest — we suspect there will be discussions about the right amount students should be able to use digital devices in public schools.

Hamilton County Board of Education members have already had these conversations, based on a new state law passed during the recently completed regular session of the Tennessee General Assembly, and will wrangle with the issue again next month.

(IN THE NEWS: Hamilton County school board to consider limiting device use for elementary, middle school students)

The new law, sponsored by state Rep. Michele Reneau, R-Hixson, requires that school districts with kindergarten through fifth grade students adopt a policy that guides their digital device use.

We would think school districts already would have such a policy, but perhaps not.