There has recently been a large conversation in schools around Texas about whether phones are appropriate to have on school campuses. Many districts are banning the use of phones during school hours. These policies have affected school districts in the Panhandle such as Amarillo ISD, which is implementing a stricter phone policy this year.

Students in Amarillo ISD are no longer able to use their cell phones during school hours while on campus, including passing periods and on-campus lunch. If students break these rules, their phone can be confiscated and students would have to pay a $15 fine for it to be returned.

“My biggest concern is that I will not be able to reach my parents if there was an emergency such as a lockdown,” Amarillo High cheerleader Emma Hall said. “The only benefit in my eyes is that it gives us more room to socialize with our classmates, and helps us to focus better in the classroom.”

In Canyon ISD, the phone policy has stayed the same. This means phones are to be turned off and put away during class, but they are allowed to be out during passing periods and lunch. Students must also pay a $15 fine to get their phone returned if it is taken up.

“I think adding a new phone policy simply just seems unnecessary,” RHS junior Addison Sandifer said. “If rules like that went into place, it makes me feel like as high school students we are getting treated as if we are still in middle school.”

Polices in CISD could begin to get stricter depending on student behavior according to principal Steven Singleton.

“Whether it’s cell phones or the kind of shoes you wear, it doesn’t matter,” Singleton said. “Change is only put into place if change is needed.”

According to The Austin-American Statesman, phone policies are becoming stricter because of how phones in school could affect students, mental health, cyberbullying, and distractions.