Tarrant County Public Health Director Brian Byrd has issued a call to action, urging public schools in the county to ban cell phones.
In a letter sent Thursday to Tarrant County parents, teachers, and community members, Byrd expressed his concerns as a parent, doctor, and public health director about the emotional and mental health of children in the county. He cited research that links the rise of social media exposure to increased anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and suicide among students.
In addition, he said that sexual predators often use social media platforms to interact with and prey upon children.
“Not only that, we’ve all seen and heard about children experiencing disruption in their sleep and a drop in their grades,” he added.
“The more time our children spend on social media, the more their mental health suffers,” Byrd wrote. “While originally designed to facilitate connection, social media has had the opposite effect.”
“That’s why I am joining with other leaders in recommending that every school district in Tarrant County remove smartphones from classrooms. The research here is encouraging. Limiting smartphone use at school significantly improves students’ mental well-being,” Byrd said.
He recommended that Tarrant County schools require students to place their cell phones “in isolation” until the end of the school day.
“For parents, I recommend delaying access to social media until at least the age of 16. This extra time allows for emotional and cognitive growth, helping to shield our children from social media’s most harmful effects,” Byrd wrote. “If you want your child to have a communication device, consider getting them a flip phone, instead.”
He urged parents to let their children know that they are a safe place to go if they find themselves in trouble due to their online activities. He noted that some families have experienced devastating consequences caused by sextortion and cyberbullying.
Byrd also praised House Bill 18, which requires minors to have parental consent before creating social media accounts and lets parents request access to any data on social media associated with their child.
The public health director has long advocated for banning cell phones in schools. In May, Byrd wrote a column in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram titled “Smartphones are stealing our children’s mental health. What should we do?”
On X, Byrd commended a middle school in Connecticut for banning phones. “Stowing cellphones in lockers or pouches during school days? Love it,” wrote Byrd.
He also acknowledged on X other North Texas school districts that have approved similar bans.
This school year, Richardson ISD has banned cell phone use on campus and requires students to put phones in secure pouches during the school day. The district provides its students with a Yondr cellphone pouch that automatically locks phones in it while on the school grounds. Once a student leaves school, the pouch becomes unlocked.
RISD students are also prohibited from using smartwatches, wireless headphones, and earbuds throughout the school day.
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath recently suggested that lawmakers create a state-wide ban on cell phone use during the school day, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
At a Senate Education Committee hearing, Morath said, “If it were in my power, I would have already banned them in all schools in the state. So I would encourage you to consider that as a matter of public policy going forward for our students and our teachers.”
However, some students have expressed distaste towards the new policies. Earlier this year, dozens of students held a phone ban protest outside of Madison High School in Houston, according to Click 2 Houston. Students said that they felt that school was less safe without their phones and that they were being treated like prisoners.
