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Texas Phone Ban Takes Effect as Pennsylvania Bill Targets School Devices

Enforcement guidelines in Houston outline confiscation steps for students who violate the new device rule, with Pennsylvania senators proposing a bipartisan restriction to curb screen time and boost academic focus.

Houston ISD and more than 5 million of Texas' public and charter school students will return to school screen-free this school year as a new cellphone ban comes into effect statewide. Labeled cellphone pouches were in use by students at Reagan High School theater on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, in San Antonio. 
Image
child on a cell phone
Houston ISD and more than 5 million of Texas' public and charter school students will return to school screen-free this school year as a new cellphone ban comes into effect statewide. A student uses their phone after unlocking the pouch that secures it from use during the school day at Bayside Academy in 2024 in San Mateo, Calif. 

Overview

  • Statewide enforcement bars cellphones, tablets and smartwatches for over 5 million Texas public and charter school students throughout the instructional day.
  • Houston ISD’s updated policy requires staff to confiscate a first-offense device until parent pickup, extend holds for repeat infractions and pursue disciplinary action on a third violation.
  • Students with IEPs, 504 plans or medical monitoring requirements will retain access through accommodations determined by their ARD or 504 committees.
  • Pennsylvania senators Devlin Robinson and Vincent Hughes introduced a bipartisan bill to bar phones during school hours, citing links to distraction, lower test scores and mental health risks.
  • Parkland Health psychologist Josh Briley warns that students may face short-term withdrawal effects such as anxiety, depression and irritability when adjusting to device-free school days.