Ingram ISD to implement cell phone ban on campuses starting Jan. 7

In a nation increasingly divided along political lines, some issues have managed to unify people, and one of the most significant among them is the movement to limit or ban the use of cell phones in schools.

On Friday, the Ingram Independent School District decided to implement a ban on cell phone use across its three campuses, effective January 7. Ingram ISD Superintendent Dr. Robert Templeton expressed his growing concern about how phones and smart devices disrupt learning.

“In the classroom, these devices often undermine the core mission of education: fostering learning and personal growth,” Templeton stated in an op-ed published in today’s edition of The Lead. “While they offer undeniable benefits when used appropriately, the potential distractions and long-term consequences they pose for students require closer supervision.”

Banning cell phones in the classroom not only enhances focus for both teachers and students but also addresses growing concerns about the impact of social media on pre-teens and teens.

U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy supports this issue.

“The most common question parents ask me is whether social media is safe for their kids. The answer is that we don’t have enough evidence to say it’s entirely safe. In fact, there is growing evidence linking social media use to negative outcomes for young people’s mental health,” Dr. Murthy explained. “Children encounter harmful content on social media, including violent and sexual material, as well as bullying and harassment. For too many, social media use is negatively affecting their sleep and reducing valuable face-to-face time with family and friends. We are currently facing a national youth mental health crisis, and I am concerned that social media is a significant contributor to that crisis—one we must urgently address.”

Teachers overwhelmingly support the cell phone bans, and this urgency is echoed in legislatures across the country. According to a study by the National Education Association, 90% of teachers support bans during instructional time, with 83% advocating for restrictions throughout the entire school day.

Ingram’s policy is straightforward: phones must be turned off during school hours or left at home. Templeton acknowledges the concerns parents may have regarding safety.

“We want to reassure parents that our phone, email, and external communication systems are reliable,” he said. “Our campuses are equipped to ensure that any important messages between parents and students are communicated promptly. In the event of an emergency, we have robust protocols in place to maintain communication with families.”

A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that parents are generally supportive of cell phone bans.

“While some media sources highlight parents’ resistance to cell phone bans, our survey shows little difference in opinion between those with school-age children and those without,” Pew reported.

“For example, 65% of parents with a K-12 child support banning student cell phone use during class, compared to 69% of those without children in these grades. Identical shares—36% each—support a ban for the entire school day.”

Currently, 18 states have cell phone policies, but only Louisiana, South Carolina, and Florida have outright bans. Texas does not have a formal regulation regarding cell phones, but the legislature is focusing on social media.

As reported by the Texas Tribune, state lawmakers have proposed several initiatives for the upcoming session to address the online dangers facing children in Texas. Among these is a bill filed by Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, which aims to prohibit minors from creating accounts on social media sites and to require age verification for new users.

Ingram’s policy also includes significant consequences for violations, such as fines, loss of privileges, and required safety training after school.

“We understand that technology plays an important role in our world,” Templeton stated. “This policy isn’t about eliminating technology but about teaching our students to use it responsibly and ensuring it doesn’t interfere with the crucial skills they need to build lasting relationships and achieve long-term success.”

A 2023 report by Common Sense Media quantified the impact of distraction on students:
The smartphone acts as a constant companion, leading to frequent pickups. The data revealed that teen participants checked their phones over 100 times per day on average. Many teens admit that their smartphones can be challenging to put down; over two-thirds of participants aged 11 to 17 reported that they “sometimes” or “often” find it difficult to stop using technology, often turning to it for relief from negative emotions.

TikTok, in particular, is popular among teens, consuming a significant amount of their time. It was the app that 11- to 17-year-olds used the longest, averaging almost two hours per day, with some participants spending over seven hours daily.