Several Texas schools adopt cell phone bans in classroom. Here's a list

Cell phone use in the classroom is a controversial topic among teachers, students and parents.

In Texas, some districts have implemented policies to limit cell phone use during lessons or even outright ban it. Some policies require students to turn off their phones during class or give them to administrators during the school day.

According to the PEW Research Center, 82% of K-12 teachers in the U.S. say their school or district has a cellphone policy, broken down by 94% of middle school teachers, 84% of elementary and 7% of high school teachers.

Here is what some Texas school districts are trying.

Why are schools looking to prohibit cell phone use?

While phones are crucial for parents to stay connected with their children, they also pose distractions in classrooms and cafeterias when those students attend.

School districts are increasingly banning cell phone use during the school day due to several concerns:

1. Distraction: Phones often disrupt the learning environment by diverting students' attention away from their studies and class activities.

2. Impact on social interaction: Administrators believe that excessive phone use prevents students from engaging in face-to-face interactions, which are vital for developing social skills. This issue is particularly noticeable during lunch periods when students might opt to use their phones instead of talking with peers.

3. Cyberbullying: Schools are concerned about the role phones play in enabling cyberbullying, which can occur during the school day and negatively impact the mental health and safety of students.

4. Mental Health: There's a growing awareness that too much screen time contributes to mental health challenges among students, such as anxiety and depression. By limiting phone use, schools hope to create a healthier and more focused learning environment.

5. Improving Engagement: Schools aim to enhance student engagement and participation in class by minimizing the distractions that phones can cause.

Which Texas school districts have cell phone bans?

Several school districts in Texas have recently implemented bans on cell phone use during the school day:

• Grapevine-Colleyville ISD: This district has banned cell phones in classrooms across all grade levels. Elementary students are not allowed to use phones during the school day, while middle and high school students can only use them during lunch or between classes.

• Keller ISD: This district requires students to keep their phones turned off and stored away in bags for the entire school day.

• Lake Travis ISD: According to Austin American-Statesman reporter Keri Heath, students in pre-K through eighth grade must keep their phones turned off and out of sight during the entire school day. The ban was introduced to reduce distractions and address mental health concerns linked to excessive screen time.

• Richardson ISD: The district implemented a policy that requires students to keep their phones locked in secure pouches throughout the school day, with strict penalties for any unauthorized use before dismissal.

• Houston ISD: According to their student resources guide, students must leave their cell phones at home or in their backpacks. Should a teacher or administrator see a cell phone on a student’s person (even if it is in a pocket, but visible) or being used by a student, the teacher or administrator will: 1. Ask the student to hand over the mobile phone. 2. Put the student’s name on the phone (as with a sticky note), and 3. Take it to the office or give it to a learning coach or teacher apprentice to take to the office.

• Austin ISD: To help high school students stay connected with their families, the district permits them to have electronic devices on school grounds; however, using these devices during the school day is strictly prohibited.

Cell phone ban in classrooms a challenge for teachers

While educators might agree on banning devices in the classroom, the process isn't always smooth.

Some feel enforcing cellphone bans in the classroom is a lose-lose. They express frustration over losing valuable instructional time, repeatedly reminding students to put their devices away, while others struggle to recapture the attention of distracted students.

Are students addicted to smartphones?

A 2022 study by the Pew Research Center revealed that 98% of teens aged 15-17 and 91% of those aged 13-14 have access to a smartphone. The study also found that 46% of teens are online almost constantly, with 36% admitting they spend too much time on social media.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Several Texas school districts enforce cell phone bans in classrooms