A new law restricting student cellphone use in school takes effect this school year. House Bill 1481 prohibits students from using personal communication devices throughout the school day on all campuses in the state. Now, both Northwest ISD and Argyle ISD are aligning their policies accordingly and hope to create more focused and distraction‑free learning environments.
Northwest ISD expands restrictions to comply with state law
In compliance with HB 1481, Northwest ISD — which had already implemented stricter cellphone restrictions last school year — has updated its policies for the year ahead. For the 2025-2026 school year:
- Personal devices such as cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and earbuds will be prohibited during the entire school day, including lunch, hallway transitions, and common areas.
- Students may no longer use personal laptops and tablets during the school day
- District-issued technology, like Chromebooks, remains permitted for academic use.
- Students who have medical devices will be allowed to use them. Families are asked to coordinate with their school nurse.
The district noted that students can keep their phones in their backpacks in case of emergency. “Northwest ISD strongly believes students should have immediate access to communication devices in the event of a crisis,” said the district in a statement.
Last school year, Northwest ISD proactively restricted smartphone and smartwatch use. Elementary students were required to keep devices in backpacks at all times, while secondary students could occasionally use devices during lunch or passing periods.
Argyle ISD sets new device rules under HB 1481
Argyle ISD Superintendent Courtney Carpenter has announced the district’s new ban on devices. Students in all grade levels throughout the district will no longer be allowed to use or even access:
- Cell phones
- Smartwatches and AI glasses
- Wireless headphones or earbuds
- Tablets, pagers, radio devices
- Any other personal device capable of communication
Carpenter says the ban applies in classrooms, hallways, common areas, and during lunch periods. Students must turn their devices off and store them in their backpack at all times.
Discipline and enforcement
Argyle ISD is holding a special school board meeting on August 4 to adopt its formal policy. The proposed draft lays out the following consequences for students who use a cellphone or other device on campus:
- First offense: Device is confiscated and student gets a warning.
- Second offense: Device is confiscated and student gets one day of in-school suspension.
- Third offense: Device is confiscated and student gets one to three days of in-school suspension. Student is also completely banned from bringing devices onto campus at any time.
- Fourth offense: Treated as a serious offense and consequences may include removal to DAEP.
The proposed policy also requires a guardian to pick up any confiscated device from the school.
Earlier this month, Northwest ISD said that information about their proposed disciplinary consequences for students who break these new rules will be announced in the coming weeks.
