New Texas Law Banning Devices in Schools (K - 12)

A big shift in school culture beginning 2025/2026 school year. The Texas legislation (House Bill 1481) and the required new school device policies will significantly alter the landscape of personal electronic device use for K-12 students during the school day, impacting students, teachers, and parents alike. Here's what this means for each group:

For Students - No Personal Electronic Devices: 
  • Students across Texas, will be prohibited from using cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, and any other personal electronic devices capable of telecommunication or digital communication throughout the entire school day.
  • This ban extends to class change passing periods and lunch periods.
  • In Conroe ISD, if a student uses an unauthorized telecommunications device, it will be confiscated with each offense, held in the school office, and returned to the student at the end of that school day.
  • Students may be exempted if their device use is determined necessary by their medical provider or if the student is part of a 504 plan.

For Teachers - Enforcement Responsibilities: 
  • Teachers, alongside administrators, will be on the front lines of enforcing this new district-wide ban.
  • District employees can permit students to use their personal devices in extenuating circumstances, such as allowing a student to inform a parent or guardian about a late bus. This provides a degree of discretion for teachers in specific situations.
  • Alternative methods for parent/child communication will need to be established by the school.

For Parents - Understanding and Supporting: 
  • Parents will need to be fully aware of and support the new policy, as their cooperation is vital for successful implementation. For Conroe ISD a town hall meeting was suggested for the summer to ensure everyone is "on the same page".•
  • Parents should understand that their children's personal communication devices must be turned off and put away during the school day. This means direct communication with their children via their personal phones during school hours will be severely restricted.
  • For necessary communication during the school day, parents will likely need to contact the school office, which can then relay messages or facilitate device use in approved extenuating circumstances.
  • Parents of students with medical needs or those on a 504 plan should be aware of the exemption process if their child's device use is deemed necessary.

The policy represents a "big shift" in the daily school environment, requiring adjustment from both students and parents regarding how communication occurs and how devices are managed. Community Support is Crucial from all sides for the policy to be effective!
 

Thriving Beyond the Screen

There's a lot of discussion today about children and screen time, often leaving parents wondering if it's helpful, harmful, or simply an unavoidable part of modern life. As parents, we often feel the immediate need for screens to soothe or entertain our children, especially when facing a world not always tolerant of "noisy little ones".

As children grow older, social pressure and the fear of them feeling left out without their own device can also lead parents to introduce technology. These feelings of guilt, fear, and uncertainty are valid, and it's why understanding the facts and creating a thoughtful plan for your family's well-being is so important.

Understanding Today's Devices: Why They're Different
While screens have been a part of family life for decades, today’s handheld smart devices are fundamentally different. Their "private nature," endless content, and interactive design create a constant stream of stimulation, flooding the brain with dopamine. This constant pull is something we're all vulnerable to, but children and teens are especially sensitive given their developing brains.

The Cost of Over-Reliance: Missed Opportunities for Growth
When we rely on screens too often, we may unintentionally miss out on valuable opportunities for growth. True confidence and resilience are built through everyday challenges, such as overcoming boredom, frustration, or problem-solving. Emotional, social, and physical development cannot flourish through constant screen engagement.

Empowering Parenting Strategies: Tools for Intentional Tech Use
Here are some practical strategies to help your family thrive offline:
  • Routine and Consistency: Establishing clear routines provides kids with a sense of security, helping them learn what to expect and feel more at ease.
  • Age-Appropriate Conversations: Start talking about screen use early and keep those conversations going as your child grows.
  • Make a Boredom Plan: Before boredom sets in, ask your child what activities they enjoy and create a list together. This helps them learn to self-entertain and overcome initial frustration.
  • Pack an Activity Bag: For outings and restaurant visits, pack a bag with coloring supplies, play-doh, small figurines, or puzzles. Rotate items regularly to keep it fresh and fun!
  • Prioritize What Matters Most: Remember to prioritize meaningful connection, time in nature, and caring for yourself as a parent.
  • Be the Example: Show balanced tech habits by unplugging now and then. Kids learn most from what they see, so model the behavior you want to instill.

Parenting with screens can be a sensitive topic, even among close friends or between spouses. Every parent is doing their best with the knowledge and resources they have. Our hope is that this serves as an invitation to get curious and explore the tools that support healthy development and emotional well-being for kids and families.

Cultivating Resilience & Confidence

  • Resist the urge for quick fixes when your child struggles; growth often comes through challenges.
  • Calm your own anxiety, knowing that your child is learning valuable coping skills.
  • Release the weight of others’ opinions. Remember that judgment usually says more about them than it does about you.
  • Be a safe haven for your child. Practice listening and avoid immediate emotional responses. Stay curious and connected in their life.
  • Know your child, their friends, and their friends’ families.
  • Talk regularly about values and boundaries. A family mission statement is a great way to prioritize what your family values and give shared purpose.
  • Check in before assuming they’re “the only one”. It's important to remember that your child may feel left out at times, with or without a smartphone - it's part of growing up. Not everyone is meant to be in their circle, and that’s okay.
  • Shift from being their fixer to becoming a steady supporter.
  • Extend grace to yourself and to others. Parenting (and life) is hard, and we are all doing our best!