A new bill in the Texas Legislature aims to curb cell phone use in public schools by enforcing a statewide ban for students during school hours.
House Bill 515 (HB515), introduced by Republican Rep. Ellen Troxclair, would require students to store personal electronic devices, including cell phones, in secure cases provided by the school district. However, according to Troxclair’s wording, the bill would not apply to school-issued devices.
The proposal aims to address what Troxclair argues are the harmful effects of excessive cell phone use on students’ mental health and academic performance.
Limiting the addictive distraction of cell phones in classrooms is common sense! Our kids our suffering, both in their mental health & academic performance. HB515 will reverse this trend by providing Districts with support & funding to keep cell phones #AwayForTheDay. #txlege https://t.co/smJzXu1At2
— Ellen Troxclair ?? (@EllenTroxclair) February 5, 2025
HB515 comes in response to growing concerns about the impact of smartphones on students across the country. The legislator cited alarming statistics, including the claim that suicide rates among teens have tripled since smartphones became widely used. The bill’s backer also states that the average teen spends over five hours daily on social media and receives more than 20 notifications during school hours.
Education officials have expressed support for the proposed ban.
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath, who in 2024 called for a statewide ban on cellular devices, has described their use as “extremely harmful” to students and their educational progress.
“If it were in my power, I would have already banned them in all schools in the state,” Morath said in 2024.
At the local level, Tarrant County Public Health Director Brian Byrd urged local public schools to ban cell phones, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
In a letter sent in September 2024 to parents, teachers, and community members, Dr. W. Brian Byrd raised concerns over the mental and emotional health of children. He referenced studies linking increased social media use to higher rates of anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and suicide among students.
While many school districts across Texas already have policies that limit or ban cell phone use in classrooms, the new bill would create a uniform statewide policy.
Research supports the concern for cell phone usage among students. A Pew Research study showed that 72% of high school teachers across the country consider cellphone distractions a major issue in their classrooms, compared to only 33% of middle school teachers and 6% of elementary school teachers.