Many school districts in Texas have banned the use of smartphones in the classroom, citing a long list of reasons why phones and education don’t mix.

But is it enforceable? And is it ultimately a good idea?

On the surface, a ban on mobile phones makes sense. Every smartphone owner knows how much a smartphone can distract them from work, housework and conversations at the dinner table.

And the problems with cell phones in school aren’t just limited to distraction – many kids are addicted to their phones, and constant access to phones can lead to more cyberbullying and access to inappropriate content during school hours.

Forty-six percent of teenagers said they are online almost constantly, and 36 percent admitted to spending too much time on social media.

Anecdotal reports suggest that some teachers report near-silent lunch and recess periods as students turn away from real social interactions to spend time on their phones.

For those of us who have befriended the people around us in the cafeteria, this can feel quite sad, if not downright dystopian.

Possible disadvantages, of course, depend on how the mobile phone ban is enforced.

Schools that require students to lock their phones away in the morning and pick them up at the end of the day can lead to communication issues with parents regarding after-school plans, etc.

However, most of us have come to terms with this exact scenario and survived.

Some parents want their children to have access to their phone in case of emergency. However, there are many reasons why The possession of phones by students in these times does more harm than good.

Emergency responders become overwhelmed with calls, students focus on phones instead of safety instructions, and some students use their phones to make threats and cyberbully. These are all examples of how cell phones can cause or worsen an emergency.

Here, too, it depends on the type of ban. If you simply tell the children: “No cell phones during class,” the teacher will interrupt the class to enforce the rule.

Some schools charge students a fee to return their cell phones, which means wealthier children are more likely to break the rules, which is unfair.

While locking the phones away consumes bag resources and process time, it helps ensure the ban is effective.

Here in Texas, we pride ourselves on our kindness. An effectively enforced cell phone ban could teach our children these social skills.