Texas May Say Goodbye to Cellphones in Classrooms - Here's Why

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The Texas Education Agency is mulling over a ban on the use of cell phones in public schools.

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath supports this idea, saying phones distract students from learning and can harm their mental health.

During a recent Senate Education Committee meeting, the Texas Tribune reports Morath declared that if he had the power, he would have already prohibited phones and urged lawmakers to seriously consider a ban for public school students and teachers as early as the next school year.

Related: Texas School Absences - How Many Days Can You Legally Miss?

A handful of Texas school districts implemented policies this school year to limit cellphone use by requiring students to turn off their phones during class or give them to administrators during the school day, according to the Austin American Statesman.

Even though many agree phones are causing too many distractions in class, some believe banning them might create other problems. One big concern is that students wouldn’t be able to contact their parents during emergencies, especially with the rise in school shootings across the country.

Lawmakers and teachers agree there should be limits on phones, but as Sen. Jose Menendez of San Antonio pointed out during the Senate Education Committee, it might be tough to figure out how to actually make it happen or if it can be enforced at all.

California has already passed a law to limit phone use in schools starting in 2026. Now, the question is: will Texas do the same?

Cellphone use in the classroom is a hot topic. What’s your take on this? Do you think cellphones in the classroom should be banned? Why or why not?

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