Texas targets student screen addiction with statewide cellphone ban affecting 5M+ students

Texas has become the first state in the US to enact a sweeping, mandatory cellphone ban for all public schools, a move aimed at curbing what lawmakers describe as a student screen addiction crisis.

Under House Bill 1481, all school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in the state must adopt policies prohibiting student use of personal communication devices during school hours.Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill into law, mandating that students either completely forgo bringing their devices to campus or store them in a secure, designated area throughout the school day. The new law, which affects over 5 million Texas public school students, marks a significant shift from previous policy, where local school districts had discretion over cellphone use rules.Ban rooted in mental health and learning concernsThe legislation stems from growing concern over the impact of digital distractions on student learning and well-being. State Representative Ellen Troxclair, the bill's author, said the ban addresses what she described as an addiction crisis among students. As reported by KHOU, Troxclair argued that limiting cellphone use is "common sense," adding that "our kids are suffering, both in their mental health and academic performance.

"Troxclair cited troubling data in support of the law, stating that suicide rates among teens have tripled since smartphones became widespread. According to her, the average teen now spends more than five hours daily on social media and receives more than 20 notifications per hour during school hours, KHOU reported.Exceptions made for assistive technology and emergency use concernsThe law allows exceptions for devices provided by schools for instructional purposes and for students with disabilities who rely on assistive technology.

As explained by Steven Aleman, a senior policy specialist with Disability Rights Texas, students with disabilities "have a legal right to what we generally call 'assistive technology,' and in this day and age, that could be an app on a cellphone," as quoted by KBTX.Despite the law's intent, concerns remain about student safety in emergencies. Critics recall that during the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, students used phones to call 911.

Hayden Cohen, state policy director for Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), expressed apprehension about students who rely on phones for safety while commuting or waiting for public transportation, as reported by KBTX.Implementation timeline and fundingSchool districts have 90 days to adopt compliant policies. The Texas Education Agency is tasked with creating a model policy to guide implementation. To support districts, the state has allocated $20,000 per school for compliance efforts.

Many large Texas districts, including Houston ISD and Katy ISD, already have strict cellphone rules. However, the new law enforces a standardized statewide policy, aiming to improve classroom focus and reduce digital dependency.