Recently, House Bill 1481 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott. The law requires that all cellular devices capable of communication be banned on public school campuses, stating they are a constant distraction for students. Despite legality, the law applies to all students, including those who are 18 and older.
While cell phones are persistent distractions, there is a bigger problem in both the country and Texas: gun violence.
Our governor and state legislators refuse to properly acknowledge the constant threat of violence that students face. School shootings are a real threat. A threat that needs to be taken seriously.
According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there have been 152 reported incidents involving a gun. As of August 2025, 44 school shootings have occurred throughout the country. Ironically, 18-year-olds can legally purchase certain types of guns under Texas law.
With such statistics, why are our state officials so focused on cell phones rather than the constant uncertainty students face?
Cell phones are safety tools, both physically and emotionally. Phones can document emergencies and be used as a form of self-defense. Many students shared their anxiety on social media, as many can no longer seek out their parents or guardians for comfort and security.
A Sandy Hook Promise PSA on school shootings shares the same sentiment. In the PSA, “Back-To-School Essentials,” a girl is seen texting her mom on her cell phone during a school shooting. Students no longer have the option to do the same. Ironically, a cell phone was considered a back-to-school essential.
The situation speaks for itself.
Some DHS students are concerned about not having access to family members in school.
“I think it’s horrible, to be honest,” Freshman Mason Cordova said. “It’s my first year and I can’t even use it, I want to be able to text my mom and I can’t.”
As a state that claims to prioritize education and child safety, House Bill 1481 directly goes against that narrative.
Students need to be protected in the classroom. To protect our children, our officials need to reevaluate the people’s concerns and focus on legitimate threats instead of surface-level distractions.
