Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a new law that requires all public schools across the state to ban the use of cellphones by students during school hours.
The governor signed the new law over the weekend, and it will take effect after Sept. 1, 2025. The legislation will mandate schools to ban cellphones and other personal communication devices, including smartwatches, and have them placed inside a secure, out-of-sight area while students are in school.
Texas Signs Law Banning Cellphones in Public Schools
Schools must either prohibit students from bringing devices on campus or provide an opportunity for them to store these items while they are on school grounds. Additionally, the new law requires schools to put into effect punishments for students who are found to be breaking the rules.
The list of banned personal communication devices under the new law includes cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, radio devices, paging devices, and any other electronic devices that are "capable of telecommunication or digital communication," according to Fox4News.
On the other hand, the new law makes exceptions for certain devices that are provided by public schools themselves. There are also exceptions in place for devices that are needed for an education program, if the student has a doctor's note, or if they are needed to comply with health or safety requirements or protocols.
Over the past few years, there are many school districts across North Texas that have already implemented cellphone restrictions, with officials saying that the devices only lead to issues with distractions and bullying.
In support of the new law, Rep. Ellen Troxclair said that cellphone restrictions are necessary in order to address what she called an addiction crisis among students in the state. She added that limiting the addictive distraction of these devices in class settings is simply "common sense," KHOU11 reported.
Addressing Addictive Devices
The lawmaker also cited troubling statistics that showed student device usage, claiming that suicide rates among teens have more than tripled since the use of smartphones became widespread. She added that the average teen now spends more than five hours every day on social media platforms.
Some of the schools that have already implemented such restrictions include Richardson ISD in North Texas. The institution requires its students to put away their mobile devices in Yondr pouches. The district's superintendent noted that 85% of teachers shared they were able to get more instructional time in an environment free of cellphones.
However, the law has been met with retaliation, with students in Houston staging a walkout last year in protest of the restrictions. Some parents also brought up the Uvalde school shooting, where many students used their cell phones to call for help, as per Fox7Austin.
