Houston-area school districts will reopen soon, marking Texas’s new statewide school cell phone ban.
HOUSTON — The first school district in the Houston area will return to classes in less than a week, officially launching Texas’ new statewide cell phone ban in schools.
The state law prohibits cellphones and other non-instructional devices in classrooms and requires all Texas school districts to implement policies restricting cellphone use.
The timing of the ban coincides with emerging research suggesting that phone restrictions may benefit children’s well-being beyond the classroom. A recent study found that smartphone use can have life-threatening mental health effects, particularly for children younger than 13.
Experts say children between 10 and 15 years old are especially vulnerable.
“We must protect kids’ brains in that age — that’s when the maximum damage is done, especially for girls,” one expert said. “The most important thing parents can do is delay the age at which their child gets immersed into internet culture.”
In response to growing concerns about screen time, tech companies like Apple and Google are expanding parental control features and developing more kid-friendly options. These tools help parents monitor how much time children spend on smartphones and what content they’re exposed to.
As Texas becomes one of the states enforcing comprehensive classroom phone restrictions, the policy marks a significant shift in how schools manage technology use during the day. The full impact on student behavior and academic performance will likely become clearer as the school year unfolds.