Texas Senate Moves to Curb Cell Phone Use in Classrooms

The Texas Senate passed a bill that would largely ban student cell phone use during class time in public schools, aiming to reduce distractions and improve focus. Senate Bill 2365, authored by Senator Brandon Creighton (R), allows school districts to create their own policies but mandates that phones be off-limits during instructional time, with exceptions for medical and learning disability needs.

“Texas educators have increasingly voiced concerns about cell phones disrupting the classroom, and the data backs them up,” Sen. Creighton said. “Over 70 percent of national high school teachers say that cell phone distraction is one of the major problems that cause disruption.”

The bill gives schools flexibility in enforcement methods but sets a statewide standard that personal phones should not be in use during teaching.

“During class, students should be focused on their lessons, not on their phones,” Sen. Creighton said. “By getting these devices out of Texas classrooms while instruction is underway, the bill ensures that teachers can teach without competing with Twitter or TikTok feeds or any other social media and students can engage without distraction.”

One school district, Grandview ISD, has already implemented a phone restriction policy. Superintendent Kirby Basham told the Senate Education K-16 Committee that results have been overwhelmingly positive.

“Students no longer experience the buzz of constant notifications or the anxiety of missing out,” Basham said. “That cycle has been broken.”

He added that the policy has not only boosted classroom engagement but also improved student well-being and social interaction.

“Lunches are loud again, filled with laughter and conversation, not with students isolated by screens,” Basham said. “Hallways are loud as well, and students aren’t bumping into each other because they have their face in a screen.”

Grandview uses magnetically locked pouches to store phones during the school day.

“Each morning, students securely lock their phones knowing that if a personal emergency arises during the school day our staff will ensure that they have the means to communicate with their families,” Basham explained.