Texas Students Banned from Using cellphones During the School Day
By Sofia Sorochinskaia
House Bill 1481, introduced by Rep. Caroline Fairly, a Republican from Amarillo, aims to limit the use of “personal wireless communication devices” in K-12 classrooms. The bill received strong bipartisan support: It passed unanimously in the Senate and by a 136-10 vote in the House.
Supporters of the bill argue that cellphones distract students, hurting their focus, participation and overall academic performance. Many also hope the legislation will help reduce bullying and improve students' mental health.
The bill was authored by the only Gen Z member of the Texas House. She said she understands firsthand how harmful social media can be for students.
“When you see what is being pushed on social media and the distraction it causes in the classroom, there is a need for our government to support our educators,” she told The Texas Tribune in March.
Opponents of the bill worry it could make it harder for students to contact parents or emergency services. They also raised concerns about parents being unable to track their children’s whereabouts. To address these issues, the bill allows students to keep their phones nearby but restricts their use during the school day.
This article originally appeared in https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/03/texas-legislature-recap-public-education/
