East Texas students adapt to classroom life under state-wide phone ban

Since Tyler students returned to school under the new statewide phone ban, they've been adjusting to life without their devices. Some are struggling, some are thriving, and some are finding new ways to connect.

It's been about one week since Tyler ISD went back to school complying with Texas' new law banning phones and other devices in schools.

"Personally, I actually like it because I get to focus more," said Emme Kelly, a senior at Tyler Legacy High School.

Some admit the first few days were tough.

"Texting my friends just to see where they are, texting my parents. I just like to talk to my mom throughout the day," said Tyler Legacy senior Abby Trahan.

For others, it has been an adjustment, but one they are managing well.

"It's been hard, but it's been good. I've adapted to it," said Tyler Legacy junior Sutton Smith.

House Bill 1481, the law that issued a statewide ban of devices such as phones and smartwatches during school hours, was signed to help students focus and limit distractions during the school day.

"So we do know that there are a lot of downsides to having constant access," said Dr. Jamon Blood, child and adolescent psychiatrist at UT Tyler.

Blood surveyed teachers, parents, and students on how the change is affecting their lives.

"One of the teachers noted that during lunch, instead of a bunch of kids glued to their phones, they are actually talking more. The lunchroom was loud, is what he said, but it was a good loud," Blood said.

Without their phones, students are finding creative ways to engage and connect.

"We definitely have to find things to talk about. We play a lot of word games and that just leads to other conversations. It's been hard, but it's been good," Trahan said.

School administrators say they have taken up less than 5 percent of students' devices since the ban was put in place.

"Some have even gone as far as telling us that we can go ahead and keep it overnight so their students will get the point," said Geoffrey Sherman, principal of Tyler Legacy High School.

Blood said he believes students are going to be significantly less distracted on those assignments.

A phone-free school is something students are still learning to navigate.

"But now we actually have to come up with things to say," Smith said.