New Texas Phone Policy in Schools: How St. Agnes is Responding

8/28/2025

St. Agnes Academy

Texas introduced a new law preventing cell phone use in schools. Learn how the new Texas phone policy will affect the student experience at St. Agnes Academy.

The Texas Legislature recently implemented House Bill 1481, which will change the way students are allowed to use personal electronic communication devices during the school day.

We recognize that devices such as cell phones, smartwatches, and any electronic device capable of telecommunication can be beneficial for supporting academic work, but also a source of distraction when not managed.

At St. Agnes Academy, we are committed to helping our students thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. This year, we will be introducing a re-envisioned cell phone policy designed to empower students to build healthy habits, strengthen relationships, and focus fully during learning.

This new policy is not about restriction but about equipping students with the skills and self-awareness they need to navigate technology responsibly at school, at home, and in their future endeavors.

Learn how the new Texas phone policy – combined with our updated policy – will empower students to make healthy, thoughtful decisions, including how they use technology.

What Is the Texas Phone Policy in Schools?

House Bill 1481, which Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law in June 2025, mandates that all public and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas prohibit the use of personal communication devices during the school day on school property.

This law will take effect during the 2025-2026 school year and aims to foster better academic focus, reduce distractions, and enhance social interaction among students.

Here’s a breakdown of the key provisions of House Bill 1481:

Prohibited Devices: Cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and any other devices capable of transmitting or receiving data.
Scope: Requires public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to implement the policy.
Exceptions: Students with documented medical needs or accommodations under an IEP or Section 504 plan.
Policy Requirements: Schools must implement written policies, including disciplinary actions for violations and guidelines for confiscated devices.
Effective Date: The policy will require students to follow the new standards beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

For more details, you can read the full text of House Bill 1481 on the Texas Legislature Online.

Our Response to the Texas Cell Phone Policy

At St. Agnes, we recognize the goals of House Bill 1481 while ensuring our policies meet the needs of our students and families.

This fall, we will roll out a new cell phone policy designed to help students succeed without removing phones from campus entirely. The policy is not a phone ban. Rather, it will set clear expectations for when and where phones may be used, and when they should be set aside so students can focus fully on learning and connecting.

We do not anticipate significant changes, as we have historically limited the use of cell phones on the school campus. The biggest difference will be that students will no longer be allowed to bring electronic devices into classrooms. Starting this school year, our policy is as follows:

Classroom Use: Devices must remain off, and students will store away their devices in a separate location to avoid distractions during instructional time.
Library Use: Phones are not permitted in the library, preserving it as a space for quiet focus.
Backpacks: Students will not be permitted to store devices in their backpacks during class.
Free Periods and Breaks: Students may use their devices responsibly during designated free times outside classrooms or the library. For example, phones will be accessible between classes, during Academy Support/Community Time, and before/after school.
Emergencies: During true emergencies, parents can always contact the school directly, and we will ensure that students receive any urgent message.
Exceptions: Exceptions may be made for students with certain medical conditions that are monitored on a phone app, such as glucose levels for diabetes.

Overall, we are confident this balanced approach will allow students to stay connected when appropriate while prioritizing their focus on academics and in-person interactions during class time.

Timeline for Implementation

Over the first few weeks of school, student leaders will work with the Dean of Students to review, provide feedback, and help finalize certain aspects of the policy. We believe that having student input and buy-in will contribute to the successful implementation of this policy.

Parents will then receive the full policy details by September 1st to participate in the process of helping their students adjust to the new campus environment.

We see this as a living policy for a changing environment. Prior to the end of the fall semester, we’ll gather feedback from students, parents, and faculty, and make adjustments as needed in the spring semester.

This collaborative approach reflects our belief that the best learning happens when students feel supported – not restricted – and when they are given the tools to grow. This effort reflects both our Dominican mission and our theme for the 2025-2026 school year, “Look Up: Connecting with God and Each Other.”

The Power of “Looking Up”

A key aspect of our “Look Up” theme for the school year is to encourage students to take breaks from their phones and engage with the world around them – whether it’s with fellow students, nature, or simply spending more time with themselves.

In today's digital age, where high school students have constant access to devices, it is essential to limit technology use. Unrestricted access can contribute to both physical and mental health challenges, making mindful regulation more important than ever.

This policy helps build on the positive, phone-free experiences our students already have throughout the year. By extending those moments, we aim to help students:

Develop the confidence, focus, and connection they need to thrive.
Focus fully during class, without digital distractions.
Build stronger relationships with peers and teachers.
Reduce anxiety and social comparison fueled by constant connectivity.
Develop discipline and digital literacy that will serve them long after high school.

We look forward to partnering with students to help them see the benefits of looking up from their phones, reconnecting with one another, and cultivating the skills they’ll need to lead healthy, balanced lives in a digital world.

What the Research Shows: Why Structured Device Use Matters

We understand that many students and parents may have questions about why cell phone use should be restricted during school hours. We live in a world where smartphones have become a constant presence in students’ lives, and research shows that overuse impacts mental health, social development, and academic focus.

According to data from The Social Institute, 95% of U.S. teens have access to a smartphone, with most receiving one around the age of 11. With this early access comes a blend of opportunity and challenge.

While devices offer tools for learning and communication, these devices are also tied to rising classroom disruptions, reduced in-person interaction, and mental health concerns. Research shows:

33% of high school teachers say phone distractions are a major problem in class.
At least 20 minutes of instruction per day is lost due to student phone use – that’s more than two weeks of learning time per year.
Over 40% of schools with strict phone policies see significant drops in student drama and conflict, as well as better focus and stronger social connections.
Top student struggles include excessive screen time, social comparison, and difficulty focusing on schoolwork.
Schools with stronger phone limits report fewer discipline issues, more classroom participation, and better peer relationships.

The solution? Creating consistent school-wide expectations and involving students in the process. We want to ensure student buy-in. Inspired by recommendations from The Social Institute, we plan to involve students in setting expectations, promoting the “why” behind the policy, and encouraging a campus culture that values presence and participation.

There are advantages to taking this approach. Although it may not seem beneficial at first, we are confident that students will thrive and develop healthy habits with limitations on phone use while on campus.

What Are the Benefits of the Texas Phone Policy at Our School?

Data shows that consistent, clear boundaries allow students to be more engaged, less

anxious, and more connected with their peers. We’ve already seen our students thrive

without phones during retreats, assemblies, and teacher-led activities.

Now it’s time to incorporate the positive experiences we’ve seen into the everyday rhythm of campus life. Discover the advantages of the new phone policy to support student success at St. Agnes.

1. Improves Focus and Academic Performance

Limiting access to personal communications devices during instructional time removes one of the most common classroom distractions. With fewer interruptions from texts, notifications, and social media, students can concentrate, engage with the material, and retain information.

According to The Social Institute’s #WinAtSocial data, more than 50% of students say tech can negatively affect their ability to focus. Structured device policies help reduce that noise by creating a classroom culture centered on attention, participation, and meaningful learning.

For high school students preparing for college and beyond, this level of sustained focus is critical to academic success when the material becomes more rigorous and the classroom environment becomes more demanding. In fact, Stanford research shows that the farther a phone is away from a student while studying, the higher the GPA.

2. Strengthens Mental Health and Social Connection

When students disconnect from their phones during the school day, they gain more opportunities for face-to-face interaction, spontaneous conversation, and deeper peer relationships. This isn’t just a social benefit; it directly supports emotional wellness.

Many teens report that social media use leads to comparison, stress, or pressure to perform. Removing that pressure, even temporarily, allows students to relax, be themselves, and engage more authentically.

The Social Institute reports that “spending too much time on social media” is the top challenge students face across all grade levels. By providing a healthy boundary during the school day, we help reduce anxiety and foster a more connected student body.

3. Promotes Responsible Tech Use

The goal of the new policy extends beyond restricting smartphone use to teaching students how to use devices responsibly. Our policy is paired with guidance and digital literacy education, which helps students develop self-awareness and critical thinking regarding their tech habits.

Through programs like #WinAtSocial, students learn how to balance online life with real-world responsibilities, protect their privacy, and manage the emotional effects of constant connectivity.

Over time, these lessons can translate to lifelong digital citizenship. Students begin to understand when it’s appropriate to engage with technology and when it’s time to be fully present in the moment.

4. Prevents Classroom Disruption and Misinformation

Schools across the country are seeing students find new ways to bypass loosely enforced phone policies – everything from using burner phones to buying magnets that unlock phone pouches. These behaviors not only disrupt class time but also undermine the trust and structure needed for a healthy school culture.

Our updated policy helps prevent these workarounds by establishing clear expectations and consequences. In turn, this policy should reduce confusion, help maintain classroom routines, and minimize conflict that can result from digital miscommunication.

The Social Institute notes that stricter device policies can reduce peer conflict by over 40%, which is a significant win for any learning environment!

Helping Families Support the Policy at Home

We recognize this policy is only successful with family support. Here are ways that students and parents can mimic the policy at home to build healthy habits:

Create device-free zones at home – such as the dinner table, bedrooms, or during family time – to encourage more face-to-face conversation.
Set structured tech schedules that mirror the school day, with designated times for homework, breaks, and screen use.
Use parental controls and apps to build self-awareness around screen time and social media usage.
Model mindful tech behavior by silencing phones during family time and avoiding excessive screen use.
Start open conversations about the pressures of social media, online comparison, and how to handle group chat drama or digital conflict.
Celebrate digital wins together, such as taking screen-free weekends or setting social media goals.
Reinforce the "why" behind the policy by connecting healthy tech habits to improved sleep, stronger focus, and better relationships.

Join Us in Supporting Student Success

At St. Agnes Academy, we’re proactively aligning with the goals of the Texas phone policy to create an environment where students are more focused, less stressed, and better prepared for life beyond the classroom.

By combining clear expectations with student involvement and ongoing education, our approach supports academic excellence and emotional well-being to support the entire student.

We believe effective phone policies go beyond restrictions to teaching students how they can grow as individuals. That’s why we are spending time with students to discuss the benefits of this policy on the path toward building a healthier community culture that encourages students to build stronger connections with one another.

Interested in learning more about how St. Agnes is preparing students to thrive in today’s technology-driven world? Contact our Student Support team today to learn more about our approach to digital wellness.

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