In 2024, Texas passed a law restricting cellphone use during school hours. The goal was to reduce distractions, improve focus, and create a more productive classroom environment. For parents, the question is clear: Is it working?
Educators and lawmakers raised concerns that cellphones were pulling students away from learning. Research showed that constant notifications, texting, and social media use in class contributed to lower test scores, shorter attention spans, and even increased anxiety among teens. The ban was intended to:
Minimize classroom distractions
Improve academic performance
Encourage face-to-face interaction
Reduce cyberbullying during the school day
Each school district has flexibility, but most require students to keep phones in lockers, backpacks, or secure pouches during instructional time. Teachers are instructed not to allow phone use except for emergencies or specific educational activities.
It’s still early, but initial reports from teachers suggest that students are more engaged, less distracted, and more willing to participate in class discussions. Parents also note that homework time at home feels more efficient when students have already practiced focusing without their phones during the day.
On the flip side, some parents and students have raised concerns about:
Safety and being unable to quickly reach their child during emergencies
Challenges for students who rely on phones for translation, accessibility, or special learning apps
Resistance from teens who feel the ban is too strict
The long-term results are still being measured, but early signs show promise. By removing one of the biggest classroom distractions, students may develop stronger focus, higher productivity, and better academic habits—skills that carry over into test prep and college readiness.
At Vanguard, we know that focus is a key ingredient to success on the SAT, ACT, and in the college admissions process. Building healthy study habits without the pull of constant phone use can make a real difference in scores and outcomes.
The school ban only goes so far—habits at home are just as important. Here are a few ways parents can support focus and balance:
Create phone-free study zones – Have students keep phones in another room during homework or test prep.
Set time boundaries – Allow social media or texting only after schoolwork is complete.
Model good habits – Show kids that adults can unplug too by putting away your phone during family time.
Use downtime wisely – Encourage reading, exercise, or family activities that build focus without screens.
These strategies not only reinforce what students experience in school but also help them prepare for focused, distraction-free environments like testing rooms and future college classrooms.