ATLANTA (December 19, 2025) — The Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee, created by Senate Resolution 431 earlier this year and co-chaired by Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta) and Sen. Shawn Still (R–Suwanee), unanimously adopted its final report on December 10.
Continue readingSen. Still Issues Statement on Dismissal of Election Interference Case
ATLANTA (December 2, 2025) — Today, Senator Shawn Still (R–Suwanee) issued a statement following the decision to dismiss the case brought against him.
Continue readingSenate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee to Hold Fourth Hearing
ATLANTA (November 7, 2025) — On Wednesday, November 12, the Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee, co-chaired by Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta) and Sen. Shawn Still (R–Suwanee), will hold its fourth hearing. During the meeting, senators will evaluate the impact of phone-free schools and school AI policy.
EVENT DETAILS:
- Date: November 12, 2025
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
- Where: 450 State Capitol, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
- Open to the Public: The event is open to the public. The committee meeting will be live-streamed on the Senate website here.
ABOUT THE MEETING:
The bipartisan Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee, created through Senate Resolution 431, will evaluate online platforms’ (i.e., social media, gaming, AI, etc.) impact on children. The study committee will also make formal recommendations for state action at its final meeting. The study committee will partner with parents, policy experts, representatives from state agencies and private organizations to determine how online protections may be improved and strengthened to ensure safer online experiences.
The study committee’s first three meetings examined how online platforms can be addictive and harmful to young people, as well as specific state policies that can result in safer online experiences. Senators also further examined the potential dangers related to the use of AI-driven chatbots in online platforms by minors.
Georgia’s “Distraction-Free Education Act” (HB 340), which passed during the 2025 legislative session, bans smartphones for public school students grades kindergarten through eight. Out of respect for these students, attendees and members of the Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee are being asked to voluntarily go without their phones for the duration of the meeting.
You can watch the replay of the study committee’s meetings on the Georgia State Senate YouTube page here.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
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Sen. Sally Harrell represents the 40th Senate District, which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett County. She may be reached by phone at (404) 463-2260 or by email at Sally.Harrell@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Shawn Still serves as Majority Caucus Chair. He represents the 48th Senate District, which includes portions of Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett counties. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-7127 or by email at Shawn.Still@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee to Hold Second Hearing
ATLANTA (September 10, 2025)—On Wednesday, September 17, the Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee, co-chaired by Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta) and Sen. Shawn Still (R–Johns Creek), will hold its second hearing.
EVENT DETAILS:
- Date: September 17, 2025
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
- Where: 450 State Capitol, 206 Washington St SW, Atlanta, GA, 30334
- Open to the Public: The event is open to the public. The committee meeting will be live-streamed on the Senate website here.
ABOUT THE MEETING:
The bipartisan Senate Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Children and Platform Privacy Protection Study Committee, created through Senate Resolution 431, will evaluate the impact of online platforms (i.e., social media, gaming, AI, etc.) on children. The study committee will partner with parents, policy experts, representatives from state agencies and private organizations to determine how online protections may be improved and strengthened to ensure safer online experiences.
Having examined how online platforms can be harmful to children and youth in the first meeting, this second meeting will begin looking at specific state policies that can result in safe online experiences for minors. You can watch the replay of the Study Committee’s first meeting here.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:
We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Zach Pishock at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
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Sen. Sally Harrell represents the 40th Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett County. She may be reached by phone at (404) 463-2260 via email at sally.harrell@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Shawn Still represents the 48th Senate District, which includes portions of Fulton, Forsyth and Gwinnett counties. He may be reached by phone at (404) 656-7127 or by email at Shawn.Still@senate.ga.gov.
For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Shawn Still Condemns Comments Made by Fulton County Commissioners
ATLANTA (March 27, 2023) |Today, Senator Shawn Still (R – Johns Creek) issued the following statement in response to recent comments made during the Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting on March 15, 2023.
“The events that occurred during the previous Fulton County Board of Commissioners meeting were obvious acts of discrimination,” said Sen. Still. “During the discussion on the adoption of a resolution authorizing the Fulton County attorney to file a complaint with the Department of Justice requesting an investigation of Wellstar, Commissioner Bridget Thorne gave a description of financial issues that may have led to the closure of two hospitals in south Fulton. After listening to this hearing, many of her data points seemed accurate from a fiscal perspective.
However, two Fulton Commissioners felt the need to mock and ridicule her based off of preconceived notions regarding her race, appearance and her upbringing. I understand the recent hospital closures in south Fulton have left many frustrated and without care, but instead of focusing on Commissioner Thorne, the duty of each Commissioner should be to focus on the resolution or matter at hand. As an elected official, Commissioner Thorne is allowed to express an opinion just like anyone else.
I commend and appreciate Commissioner Thorne for her strength and composure during these negative exchanges. She represented her constituents well, and made many valid points. I am proud of how she handled such an unprofessional situation. I condemn the actions taken during the March 15 meeting, and will continue to defend any Commissioner’s right to express their opinions on a topic of concern. I encourage Board Chairman Robb Pitts to strive to do the same, and hope that this will not happen again.”
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Sen. Shawn Still represents the 48th Senate District which includes portions of Forsyth, Gwinnett, and Fulton counties. He can be reached by phone at 404.656.0044 or by email at Shawn.Still@senate.ga.gov.