Technology surrounds us and has become part of daily life — from our phones to our schoolwork and even how we get our news. But what happens when students can’t use their personal devices at school? That question has become reality in classrooms across Texas.
House Bill 1481, passed June 20, 2025, bans personal communication devices from schools statewide. While Katy Independent School District implemented a phone ban last year, this new law expands restrictions even further. Consequences for breaking the law range from device confiscation to suspension.
Teachers and students have mixed feelings about the policy. Nine out of 10 teachers polled support the law but describe its rollout as a bit uneven. Many say the absence of phones has helped reduce distractions and increase personal connection…