LAKEWAY, Texas — A Central Texas representative has introduced a bill that would ban cell phones in classrooms during school hours. It’s an issue that has gained popularity in recent years and divided parents and guardians, some who tout its positive mental health effects and others who worry if they’ll be able to contact their child in a life-threatening situation.

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, has introduced legislation that would ban cell phones in Texas schools

  • Troxclair says students' mental health and focus has gotten better in schools where the ban has been implemented

  • Some opponents of the ban worry about how they'll be able to contact their children in case of an emergency

  • If passed, the bill would take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year

Rep. Ellen Troxclair, R-Lakeway, introduced House Bill 515 to the Texas Legislature in November.

If the bill passes, students would be required to hand in their cell phones at the beginning of the school day and retrieve them at the end of the day. During that time, they would be stored in a locked container.

According to the bill, students would only be able to contact a parent or guardian during the day if deemed necessary. There is also an exception for those who verify a medical condition that requires them to have access to their cell phone.

In a video posted to Facebook on Feb. 6, Troxclair blamed cell phones for heightened suicide rates among teens. She also said that the average teen spends over five hours per day on social media, and students receive over 20 notifications per hour while at school. Sources for these statistics were not cited in the post.

According to Troxclair, schools who have implemented cell phone bans have seen a decrease in suspensions, bullying and cheating.

“Limiting the addictive distraction of cell phones in classrooms is common sense! Our kids are suffering, both in their mental health & academic performance. HB515 will reverse this trend by providing Districts with support & funding to keep cell phones #AwayForTheDay,” the post read.

The post received mixed feedback in the comment section, with some supporting HB 515 and others wondering how they would be able to contact their children in an emergency.

“My kids in high school have had multiple times they've been on lockdown or had threats of school shootings (hold or secure situations). My kids have texted me during those times when they were really scared. I don't want to be without the ability to text with them if they're scared,” one comment read.

An increase in school shootings in the U.S. in recent years has left many parents on edge. According to CNN, the increase in school shootings in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 have all set records since 2008. Students often use their cell phones to call 911 or text their families during lockdowns to let them know they're safe.

Cell phone bans have already been implemented in some Texas school districts like Lake Travis ISD. Superintendent Paul Norton told Spectrum News 1 in October that he has gotten similar feedback from parents who worry about student safety in the absence of an immediate way for their children to contact them. But, he also echoed Troxclair's concerns on students' mental health when it comes to extended screen time.

If passed, HB 515 would take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.

As of early January, at least eight states have implemented cell phone bans in schools in the past two years.