On July 31, 2025 Texas passed a new state law that prohibits the use of phones, earbuds, smartwatches, and other personal electronic devices from the first bell of the school day to the last. According to the Texas Education Agency, each district has until September 18, 2025 to have a written policy of phones being banned. According to the 5 NBCDFW news, the phone law was passed to remove distractions from the classroom, something teachers sorely needed. Many educators feel that having the phone law passed made a difference in student interactions in the classrooms, walking through the hallways, and during lunch.
The law does not state how schools will implement the policy on phones and what the student consequences will be for being on their phones during school. Some schools have already created policies. For example Arligton, Fort Worth, Garland, Mesquite, Frisco, Plano, and Allen have adopted the “Out of Sight rule,” which requires students’ phones to be powered off and stored in their backpack or locker during the school day. According to the news by El Paso Matters, Some school districts have staff on campus collect devices from the beginning of the day to the end. Other districts like Richardson and Grand Prairie have already implemented a policy by having students lock their phones in pouches during the school day; they cannot get their phones back till the end of the day.
One consequence Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District implemented is students’ phones will be confiscated if they get caught using them during the school day. For breaking the rule the first time, the student can get their phone at the end of the day, but if the student gets caught having their phone multiple times on a daily basis the parent or guardian will need to go to the school to retrieve the device.
Pitman High School English teacher, Marcus Hatchell, said, “I think there are pluses and minuses to banning phones. I think right now I am frustrated with students not paying attention to classwork and engagement in class because they are concerned about the text messages they get and the social media they are worried about seeing. I am also worried that if students are 40 years old and look back on their lives, they will regret not living in reality because they were stuck on their phones. Right now I would be more in favor of the law Texas has created of banning phones to come to California because kids don’t know the consequences of being on their phones during school and how it will affect them later. Adults have more wisdom on what kids need best, so they should take action.”
A 8th grade student at Denair Middle School, named Natalie Eudy, said “I don’t agree with Texas banning phones because I am worried that if something happens at school. For example a school shooting or a fire at school I would want to be able to text my mom or my dad in those situations, but I would not be able to if I don’t have my phone. I also want to have my phone by me at all times. I don’t like when my phone is not where I can reach it. I believe that there can be good things and bad things from the law Texas made and bringing it to California. Some good reasons I think banning phones at schools are that they can help the school and help students do better in their academics. Some of the bad reasons to ban phones is that students are not used to them not having their phones on them. I feel that I am missing something when I don’t have my phone and that is going to bother me all day.”
School districts who want to be in full fidelity with the phone ban law and can buy phone pouches or other ways to be in compliance. These types of strategies force schools to spend money and can add a burden to the schools.