On Aug. 1, 2025, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott passed House Bill 1481, banning the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices in schools during educational hours. Teachers are mostly for the ban, saying it’s a good thing and it allows students to connect more with each other, but students argue that phones are necessary in the case of emergency situations, and they need to contact their parents.

If he had been the sole person to make the decision, Jeremiah Graham, ‘28, would have voted against the ban. 

“What if an emergency happens?” Graham said. “It makes me want to go on my phone more.”

Geography Teacher David Upton didn’t grow up using any sort of device in school, unlike the youth of today.

“I think it’s a good thing the state came in and set a precedent,” Upton said. “I was happy. I liked it.”

Philip Pendleton, Sports Marketing Teacher, feels it’s students’ parents’ jobs to regulate phone usage.

“Kids aren’t disciplined enough to stay off their phones,” Pendleton said. “There are still a handful of kids who think the rule doesn’t apply to them.”

Biology Teacher Tiffany Rich says students are talking to each other more because of the ban.

“I think we could all use a phone ban, to be honest,” Rich said. “We’ll really be able to see if it’s effective over a larger period of time.”