AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Legislation prohibiting Texas K-12 students from using cellphones during school hours is on its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk, with individual school districts poised to determine how this new regulation will be enforced.
House Bill 1481, put forward by Rep. Caroline Fairly of Amarillo, aims to limit the use of “personal wireless communication devices” within K-12 schools. The Texas Senate approved the bill unanimously on Sunday, and it garnered significant backing in the House, which voted 136-10 in favor of it back in April.
If enacted, the law would prevent students from utilizing their cellphones throughout the school day. School districts will have the authority to designate areas for students to store phones, such as secure pouches, lockers, charging stations, or backpacks. Additionally, schools must implement disciplinary measures for students who violate the policy, which may include confiscating phones. However, students who require their phones for medical or safety purposes will be permitted to keep them.
If the governor signs the bill, it will take effect on September 1. Texas would then join a number of other states that have already adopted similar regulations, including California, Florida, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Louisiana, Virginia, and South Carolina. Furthermore, 26 additional states have proposed similar bans, while some Texas school districts have already initiated this policy.
Proponents of the ban contend that cellphones create significant distractions in classrooms and can adversely affect students’ mental health. Research backs this up, showing that excessive phone use can hinder students’ ability to concentrate and engage in their studies.
Fairly, the sole Gen Z representative in the Texas House, expressed her understanding of the detrimental effects of social media on students.
“When you see the content being pushed on social media and the distractions it creates in the classroom, it’s evident that our government needs to back our educators,” she shared with The Texas Tribune in March.
Another prevalent reason for supporting the bill is the potential to lessen instances of bullying. According to Pew Research, 44% of K-12 parents who endorse the ban cite a reduction in cyberbullying as a key factor.
Opponents express concerns that banning phones could impede parents’ ability to communicate with their children during school hours. Others raise safety concerns, arguing that students should have access to their phones in case of emergencies to call for assistance.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization dedicated to informing and engaging Texans about public policy, politics, government, and statewide issues.