A bill aimed at reducing screen time for Tennessee’s youngest public school students, originally introduced as Senate Bill 2310 and its House companion, has passed both chambers of the legislature and is now headed to Governor Bill Lee’s desk for signature. Sponsored by Sen. Joey Hensley and Rep. Michele Reneau, the legislation initially proposed strict prohibitions for kindergarten through fifth grade in public and charter schools: banning students from accessing digital devices, barring teachers and staff from using such devices for instruction, and prohibiting electronic testing formats. Supporters, including Sen. Hensley, argued that computer-based testing can hinder performance due to scrolling and navigation challenges, and that the changes would promote a return to traditional, teacher-led learning.

However, the bill was significantly amended before final passage. The Senate adopted Amendment #1, rewriting it to require local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools serving K-5 students to adopt policies governing the age-appropriate and instructional use of digital devices. These policies must aim to minimize unnecessary screen time while preserving instructional effectiveness, and they include specific required components. The amended version also explicitly allows device use for targeted instructional support, intervention, or remediation; accommodations required under federal laws like IDEA, Section 504, or the ADA; certain state-mandated screeners and assessments; teacher planning and professional use; as well as public virtual schools, homebound instruction, remote, or hybrid learning days. It further prohibits students from accessing social media on school networks and does not apply to public virtual schools in the same way.

The legislation, which cleared the House by a vote of 87-6 after the Senate passed it unanimously, would take effect on July 1, 2026, if signed into law. While supporters view it as a step toward reducing over-reliance on technology in early education, some critics have noted potential challenges for virtual or hybrid learning scenarios. The final measure represents a moderated approach compared to the outright ban in the original draft.