Texas bans cellphones in all public school statewide

Governor Greg Abbott on Friday signed House Bill 1481 into law during a ceremonial event in Amarillo, officially enacting a comprehensive ban on student cellphone use in Texas public schools. The legislation, known as the Phone-Free Classrooms bill, requires all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to create policies that either completely prohibit cellphones on campus or provide secure storage during school hours.

The new law, which takes effect immediately, bans not only cellphones but also tablets, smartwatches, radio devices, paging devices, and any other electronic devices capable of telecommunication or digital communication. According to the KTRH report, Abbott praised the bill during the signing ceremony, saying educators and researchers have raised concerns about the impact smartphones have on student learning and engagement.

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Addressing Classroom Distractions and Mental Health

The legislation comes in response to mounting concerns from teachers, parents, and school administrators about classroom distractions, social media overuse, and cyberbullying. Rep. Caroline Fairly of Amarillo, the bill's author and the only Gen Z member of the Texas Legislature, said she understands firsthand the negative impact of social media on students.

Research supports the ban, indicating that excessive phone use can interfere with students' ability to focus and engage in class. Some Texas districts that already implemented cellphone restrictions have reported positive results. According to Campus Safety Magazine, Richardson ISD's superintendent noted that 85% of teachers reported the ban gave them back more instructional time.

Implementation Flexibility and Timeline

Under HB 1481, school districts have significant flexibility in implementing the ban. Districts can either prohibit students from bringing devices to campus entirely or establish secure storage systems like the magnetic Yondr pouches already used in some schools. Schools must also establish disciplinary procedures for violations, potentially including confiscation, detention, or other consequences.

Districts have 90 days to adopt their cellphone policies, with the law taking effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year. The legislation includes exceptions for devices needed for medical reasons or provided by schools for educational purposes.

Safety Concerns and Opposition

The ban has faced some opposition from parents and students citing safety concerns, particularly in light of emergencies like the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, where students used phones to call for help[1][2]. Some parents worry about being unable to communicate with their children during the school day, while critics argue the restrictions are too severe for older students approaching adulthood[3].

Texas joins at least 17 other states that have enacted similar cellphone restrictions, including California, Florida, Indiana, and Virginia[4]. The overwhelming legislative support—with the House passing the bill 136-10 and the Senate approving it unanimously—reflects broad bipartisan agreement on addressing technology distractions in classrooms[5][4].

Citations:

[1] Texas has officially banned cell phones in schools https://sanantonioreport.org/texas-has-officially-banned-cell-phones-in-schools/

[2] Texas parents, students react to bill banning cell phones in classrooms https://www.fox7austin.com/news/texas-parents-students-react-bill-banning-cell-phones-classrooms

[3] Texas phone ban law consequence for my district : r/centrist - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/centrist/comments/1megxmu/texas_phone_ban_law_consequence_for_my_district/

[4] Texas Governor Signs Bill Banning Cell Phones in Schools https://www.campussafetymagazine.com/news/texas-governor-signs-bill-banning-cell-phones-in-school/171701/

[5] Texas school cellphone ban heads to Abbott's desk https://www.texastribune.org/2025/05/30/texas-public-school-cellphone-ban/