Kaylah is a sophomore, and this will be her first year on the school’s newspaper and yearbook. This year and the year before she was on the school’s volleyball team. Her favorite snack is goldfish because they’re the snack that smiles back. After school, Kaylah plans to get a degree in journalism.
Banned. Cell phones have been locked up and the key has been thrown away by Governor Abbott. Children weep and sorrow at the news of the new House Bill 1481. Cell phones are now outlawed inside the school walls.
June 20th, 2025 the House Bill was signed into law and it changed the lives of every student in Texas.
“I think the cell phone ban affected my day badly because I can’t have it at lunch, and not all my friends are in my lunch. So what else am I supposed to do besides be on my phone,” sophomore Chloe Medina said. “I do understand why we have the ban but I would like my phone during passing periods and lunch to keep me busy.”
Medina is not the only one who had a negative apprehension about the new cell phone policy. Many more students like her have negative impressions from different experiences.
“I think the cell phone ban is stupid. You’re punishing everybody for other people using their phones for non-school purposes. I think it shouldn’t be banned because some people want to listen to music because it helps them focus like me,” sophomore Matthew Ward said. “As for lunch, it’s technically our free period so we should at least be able to have our phones out during lunch. I understand why cell phones are banned, but at the same time they shouldn’t be banned for people who didn’t do anything.”
Students despise the new policy, while teachers praise it. Teachers believe that it will encourage students to expand social interactions with peers. As well as increase grades and lower distractions.
“The house bill that made it illegal for students to have phones in the classroom. From a teacher’s standpoint I think It’s good because the phone has been a deterrent to learning,” chemistry teacher Gary Granger said. “From a student’s perspective it’s bad because they’re mad and want their phones because it’s a part of their lives. However we’re in the business of teaching kids so all in all I think it will be beneficial.”
Teachers think they will be able to see a change in their students’ productivity this year. Some students are very doubtful that change will ever occur.
“I think the cell phone ban is going to have a negative impact on the school. It’s not really going to cause change because kids still have access to their phone even if it’s supposed to be in their backpacks,” sophomore Georgia Jackson said. “They’re just gonna get upset or mad at the APs when they take their phone.”
There are many different perspectives in this argument whether the cell phone ban is effective or not.
“I don’t know how productive the cell phone policy has been necessarily. But I know people try to find ways around it. It definitely can be justified in some ways,” sophomore Trinity Dupard said. “I do agree they shouldn’t be in classes. As far as lunch and passing periods go I don’t think it’s very productive because it’s not affecting or hurting anyone at lunch or passing periods.”
