On April 17, House bill 1491 started to affect all schools around Texas. This bill permits all personal electronics from being used during school hours in the state of Texas. This includes phones, watches, headphones, or any unissued technology (i.e school issued). The purpose for this law is to limit distractions, social media use, and cyberbullying. This new law has affected school life in both positive and negative ways, but as a whole it has been an adjustment. This is a change that we all are going to have to learn to live with.
This change has affected high school levels more than any other grade levels. Here at Lubbock High we are learning to deal with the adjustment as best as possible. Many students do see this change as helpful with being able to focus more and even being able to communicate with new people.
Gwendolyn Johnson said, “As the new year started, a few of my friends and I noticed how we are able to get to know more people and concentrate on what is at hand.” Students no longer have phones as a buffer, so meeting new people is easier and less of a burden when trying to make conversation.
As well there are some negative effects, such as not having electronic devices during passing period and lunch has hit many students hard. Kylan Kitchen says, “Without my phone I am not able to communicate with my friends about assignments or plans.” Not being able to talk to friends has impacted students’ social life especially if they don’t have classes with them. Students also feel like without their phones it is harder to be organized and to communicate with parents.
Patrick McClendon says, “The new law makes pick up difficult because I can’t communicate with my mom about when and where we are getting picked up.”
As a whole, this new law has affected the school system in so many ways. Putting pressure on not only the students, but also the teachers. Students are all learning how to adjust. This new law, however, will not stop our spirit. We should continue to look at the positives and hopefully lead better lives.