Senate committee discusses statewide ban on mobile devices in schools

The Senate K-16 Education committee heard testimony on HB 1481 by Rep. Caroline Fairly (R-Amarillo), a bill that would ban mobile devices for students in public schools.

Device use has become near-ubiquitous in schools for both teachers and students alike. A vast majority of teachers cite inappropriate device use as a major classroom management issue, while cyberbullying enabled by these devices has damaged student mental health in a palpable way. While some school districts have already enacted strong bans on devices, HB 1481 would implement that kind of ban across the state.

In the Senate K-16 Education Committee, senators from both sides of the aisle agreed that device usage needs to be more strongly regulated in schools to improve student academic and social outcomes. Testifiers of all ages appeared to support the bill, including two students ages 13 and 15. 

Changes to the bill since its hearing at the House Public Education Committee include exceptions for students who use devices for special education supports or health care-related needs. It also allows school districts flexibility in how they implement mobile device bans in their district instead of prescribing a specific way to do so.

If the bill becomes law, only time will tell if a statewide ban on mobile devices has a positive effect on student behavior and academics.