This school year marks a new chapter for Texans. It marks the first year that House Bill 1481 is in effect, meaning the use of cell phones is now banned in all Texas public schools; pre-k through 12th grade.

This phone ban is a terrible idea and does more harm than good by taking away one of the most popular and useful pieces of technology in the modern world.

This ban is bad because it takes away the ability for students to easily communicate with their parents, especially for emergencies. Cell phones also play a big role in students’ lives nowadays, regardless of if they’re in school or not. A study from Grand Canyon University states that “technology makes it easier for students to collaborate and work on solving problems in teams.”

While phones can be a distraction during instruction, it is not the state’s job to moderate it. This should be up to the students and their parents; if a kid can’t resist using their phone during instruction, parents should know better than to let them bring it in the first place.

Students are outraged about this ban, they are not happy about losing the ability to contact their family for emergency situations, on top of losing a source of entertainment during free time. The state legislature should lift the ban or at the very least loosen it to allow phones during passing periods and lunch.