In a move that signals growing concern over the impact of personal technology on student well-being and academic performance, the Texas House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly approved a bill that would ban students from using personal communication devices during school hours.
House Bill 1481, authored by Rep. Caroline Fairly (R-Amarillo) and co-authored by 77 other lawmakers, passed the House floor with minimal debate in a 136-10 vote. The legislation now heads to the Senate for further discussion and potential amendments.
“This bill prohibits smart devices from being out during school hours while also maintaining local control,” Rep. Fairly told her colleagues on the floor. The bill allows schools to craft their own disciplinary policies for violations while giving them the authority to confiscate and even dispose of devices after 90 days of non-retrieval.
Expanded Scope and Safeguards
Significant revisions were made to the original version of the bill through a committee substitute, broadening its scope and clarifying enforcement measures. The updated bill defines “personal communication devices” as any electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication — including cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, and similar technology. Devices issued by the school are exempted.
Originally, the bill sought to prohibit use during all school-related events, whether on or off campus. That provision was narrowed in the substitute bill to apply only “during the school day,” reflecting concerns about feasibility and enforcement during extracurricular activities.
Schools would be required to establish disciplinary frameworks and would be permitted to confiscate non-compliant devices. In addition, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is tasked with drafting official language and guidance for implementing the ban.
Addressing Mental Health and Academic Concerns
Supporters of the bill cited a growing body of evidence linking excessive device use with deteriorating mental health and academic struggles among teens. During public testimony in the House Public Education Committee, many experts and parents raised concerns about social media addiction, distraction in class, and cyberbullying.
According to a 2024 Pew Research Center study, nearly one in five teenagers reported being on YouTube or TikTok “almost constantly,” with about 50 percent saying they are online throughout the day.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has been outspoken about the influence of smartphones in schools. “We do think that there is some relationship between smartphone use generally and certainly smartphone use in schools and student achievement, and we think that relationship is extremely harmful,” Morath said in recent public comments.
Following a National Trend
Texas joins a wave of states taking legislative action to curb phone use in classrooms. At least 25 states have implemented similar bans or restrictions, with Florida, Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Louisiana among those leading the charge.
If passed by the Senate and signed into law, Texas schools would likely implement the new policy in the 2025–2026 academic year, though the exact timeline would depend on rulemaking by the TEA and district-level implementation.
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