Texas has officially banned phones, laptops, tablets, and other personal devices during schools

After teachers expressed concerns about cell phones being distractions in classrooms, Texas has decided to ban them in K-12 schools, with support from both political parties.

Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1481 on June 22. The bill, introduced by Rep. Caroline Fairly (R-Amarillo), who is the only Gen Z member of the Texas Legislature, states that students can no longer use cell phones, laptops, tablets, or other personal devices during class.

Lawmakers listened to feedback from educators, parents, and administrators during recent committee hearings, where many voiced worries about students' mental health and cyberbullying related to social media. Research has shown that excessive cell phone use can lead to shorter attention spans and decreased engagement in class.

However, some parents fear that this ban might affect students' ability to perform academically and communicate during emergencies. Denise Valuk, a mother of two teenagers, argued that completely banning cell phones in class is excessive, especially since schools are increasingly using technology for lessons. She emphasized that her children rely on devices for submitting assignments and mentioned the importance of having a way to communicate in emergencies, like during the 2022 Uvalde school shooting when students used their phones to call for help.

Valuk also observed that her teens, who have unrestricted phone access, seem to struggle more with attention and motivation compared to her older son, who had less screen time growing up. "I see a difference in their productivity and behavior," she explained.

The bill received support from a majority of House representatives, both Republicans and Democrats from the San Antonio area, except for Rep. Josey Garcia (D-San Antonio), who opposed it.

Before this ban, cell phone policies varied across Texas school districts. Some schools, like O'Connor High School in the Northside Independent School District, required students to place their phones in cases at the start of class, while others allowed phones during breaks but had different rules for usage.

Now, after Governor Abbott’s decision, schools and charter programs have 90 days to implement either a complete ban on cell phones or a policy that restricts their use during school hours.