Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Facing the Dread of a New Law
I’ll be honest—I was dreading this school year. Not because I wasn’t prepared, but because of one big unknown: the statewide cellphone ban. However, the benefits of a cellphone ban in schools might prove to be more significant than expected.
As a teacher in Texas, I’ve always had my own strict classroom rule about cellphones. In past years, students had to drop their phones into a pocket pouch at the front of the room. They could plug them in, and that was that.
But here’s the difference: this year, even that system is not allowed. I was told to take down my pocket pouch entirely, because students can’t handle their phones at all during the school day—not even to place them in storage. Now, students must turn their phones off, place them inside their backpacks at the start of the school day, and those backpacks stay at the front of the room until dismissal. Their phones are not allowed to come out again until the final bell.
At first, I dreaded being the bearer of such strict news. This wasn’t just a classroom rule anymore—it was a law. And it didn’t only cover phones; it included smartwatches, personal laptops, tablets, and even AirPods. The benefits of the cellphone ban extend beyond just distractions.
My Teacher Confession: Phones as a Reward
Here’s my confession: I wasn’t always a bell-to-bell teacher. I used to allow a few minutes at the end of class for students to get on their phones. Sometimes early finishers could pull theirs out, too. It felt like a harmless reward, and I’ll admit, sometimes I was tired myself and let it slide.
But the result wasn’t what I hoped for. Students rushed through their work just to earn phone time. Answers were incomplete and shallow. And if I didn’t allow that little window at the end, I’d get groans and complaints. Phones had become the reward students were truly working for—not the learning itself.
The Shift: What Happened This Year
This year is different. We started school on August 4, and after the first couple of weeks of coaxing, I noticed something amazing: my students are thriving.
They know that using their devices during instructional time isn’t just against classroom rules—it’s against the law. And while they may not see it as positive yet, I can tell you the benefits of cellphone ban in schools are real.
- Students aren’t checking the clock on their phones or smartwatches. Instead, they’re learning how to read the analog clock on the wall. This simple shift highlights one of the numerous benefits of cellphone ban in schools.
- They aren’t tuning me out with headphones. Their ears are open, and they’re actually chiming in.
- I teach some of the same ESL students I had last year, so I can see the difference firsthand. They’re more focused, more engaged, and more connected to the lesson.
I’ve even had to stop students from working because they’re so caught up in what they’re doing that they don’t notice the bell is about to ring. That’s a change I never expected.
Becoming a Better Teacher
Here’s something else: the ban has made me a better teacher. Since I can’t use phones as a reward anymore, I’ve created new ways to close out class. Instead of devices, I make time for:
- Quick discussions about the lesson or life, giving ESL teens more authentic speaking practice.
- Language games like Basta or Charades, which get students laughing, competing, and practicing English in meaningful ways.
The difference is clear. These last minutes of class are no longer wasted; they’re fun, intentional, and still focused on language learning.
The Bigger Picture
Of course, some parents worry about emergencies like lockdowns. But in Texas, students are still allowed to have their phones in their backpacks, and they would be permitted to use them if a true emergency occurred. That balance helps me feel confident that safety isn’t compromised while still reaping the benefits of cellphone ban in schools.
It’s only been two and a half weeks into the school year, but I’m already seeing the positive effects of cellphone ban in classrooms. My students are more engaged, my instruction is more consistent, and my ESL teens are learning without the constant distraction of their devices.
And for the first time in a long time, I feel like every minute of class truly counts.
Classroom tip: If you’re looking for a way to replace phone time with something more engaging, I recommend trying Word Dash!. It’s my English-language version of the classic Mexican game ¡Basta! — reimagined for ESL learners. I’ve written a full blog post about how I use Word Dash in class, and you can also explore the different themed versions by clicking the images below. These games turn those final minutes of class into laughter, competition, and meaningful language practice.
