Cellphones banned in Texas schools starting this fall. Here’s what the law says
Cellphones will be banned at Texas schools starting Sept. 1 under a new bill signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott.
House Bill 1481, which is now law, requires all public and charter schools to prohibit the use of personal communication devices during instructional hours, with limited exceptions.
Starting Sept. 1, Texas school districts will have 90 days to adopt and enforce new policies on how cellphones will be restricted or stored on campus.
Here’s what to know about the new restrictions, which devices are affected and how the law could reshape school safety and student life this fall.
Why is Texas banning phones in schools?
State leaders say the new law is meant to reduce distractions in the classroom and improve both academic performance and student well-being.
Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R - Austin), who authored the bill, described classroom phone use as part of a growing “addiction crisis” among students.
“Limiting the addictive distraction of cell phones in classrooms is common sense,” Troxclair wrote on Facebook earlier this year. “Our kids are suffering, both in their mental health & academic performance.”
Abbott announced his signing of the bill in a Facebook post June 24, saying the measure is part of an effort to make Texas a national leader in education.
“Texas will continue to support productive learning environments by eliminating unnecessary distractions,” he wrote.
Supporters argue that the law could help curb cyberbullying, reduce screen fatigue, and encourage students to engage more in class.
According to a 2023 report from Common Sense Media, nearly half of teens surveyed say they feel addicted to their phones and 97 percent say they use them during school hours, often checking notifications or browsing while in class.
Many Texas school districts, including some in Tarrant County, have already instituted cellphone bans during school hours.
Which devices are banned under the new law?
House Bill 1481 prohibits students from using a wide range of electronic devices during the school day, including:
Cellphones
Tablets
Smartwatches
Radios
Pagers
Any other device capable of telecommunication or digital communication
These restrictions apply to all students in public and open-enrollment charter schools statewide.
Are there exceptions to the ban?
Yes. Students may use devices during school hours only if:
The device is required for a documented medical or mental health condition
It is needed for health or safety purposes
It is part of a district-approved educational program
In most cases, formal documentation or a doctor’s note may be required.
How will Texas schools enforce the phone ban?
Schools must choose one of two options:
Ban students from bringing devices onto school property entirely
Allow devices on school property but require them to be stored securely — such as in lockers, locked pouches, charging stations, or backpacks
Districts are also required to adopt disciplinary procedures for students who break the rules.
How are parents reacting to the ban?
Reactions to the new law have been divided, with some parents embracing the change as a way to restore focus in classrooms and others questioning whether it targets the right problems.
One parent responding to Abbott’s Facebook post praised the decision and said limiting phone use could help raise academic performance.
“Sounds like a common-sense law to me. Kids are too distracted. This might even bring scores up,” the parent wrote. “ If someone has an emergency, they can call home from the office like they’ve done for the last 50 to 60 years.”
Others voiced frustration, arguing the ban ignores more urgent issues facing Texas schools.
“Yes, because that’s the distraction we need to combat first,” another commenter wrote. “Not the fighting, drugs, lack of teachers, lack of funding… But please tell me more about how, because there is a law, kids won’t sneak phones around like we did in the 2000s.”
Some parents also raised safety concerns, citing the 2022 shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. During the attack, students used their phones to call 911 while trapped inside classrooms — an event that reshaped how many families view the role of phones during school emergencies.
Others warned that banning phones outright may not stop students from using them secretly. They believe a better approach might be teaching responsible device use rather than relying solely on restrictions and penalties.
School districts are expected to begin notifying families about new phone policies ahead of the 2025–26 school year. Parents with questions should contact their local district or school board for updates.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM.
