SCHOOLCHILDREN will have to follow a new rule when they return to the classroom as part of a crackdown on their habits.

And, students caught breaking the measure risk having to deal with the consequences.

Education chiefs have rolled out a measure that means certain devices are off-limits.

Students at public schools, from grades K to 12, will be banned from using their cell phones during school hours.

And, the new law will force school bosses themselves to take potential measures. 

They will be faced with a choice of issuing a blanket ban on cell phones, or dishing out units so children can put their device inside.

Schools will also have to implement punishments for any student breaking the rules.

Parents may have to collect devices from the reception desk in school buildings.

And, they may be slapped with a fine up to $15 to retrieve a confiscated cell phone. 

Officials have warned school districts can throw away any confiscated cell phone that hasn’t been claimed as long as parents received a written warning 90 days previously.

The law came into force on June 20 and schools are tasked with creating their zero-tolerance policy by September 18, according to the Texas Education Agency.

It’s not just cell phones that are off-limits as part of the crackdown.

Any device that can be used for communication is banned. 

However, school bosses must make exceptions for students who may have an education support plan, or for health reasons.

Children who have received notes from health experts, saying they need to use a device to learn may also be given more leniency.

The law will apply to millions of children in Texas.

It has caused some controversy, with psychologists warning about its risks.

Psychologist Josh Briley warned that society is becoming more and more dependent on cell phones, as reported by the CBS affiliate KTVT-TV.

He urged parents to set an example at home to help children get into the habit of putting down their phones.

But, Briley said that children will become less distracted in class as a result of the new measure.

“Their social skills will improve. They’ll learn to talk to each other face to face, and have conversations that don’t involve texting each other,” he said.

CELL PHONE CRACKDOWN

Meanwhile, schools across New York have rolled out restrictions on cell phone usage.

This is part of a statewide initiative to ensure children are concentrated.

“New York was the first state to target addictive social media feeds — and now we’re the largest state to restrict smartphones in schools throughout the entire school day,” Governor Kathy Hochul said.

“I know our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling — and that’s why New York continues to lead the nation on protecting our kids in the digital age.”

Middle and high school kids in Rochester must turn their phones off or put them in secure areas.

All students at schools in the Hilton district must put their cell phones away when they step foot inside buildings.

But, not all school districts were speedy in submitting policy papers regarding how they would crack down on students using such devices.

Around 200 schools in the Empire State were late, as reported by Spectrum News.

This is despite state officials claiming the policy would be a “game changer” when enforced.

Last May, Georgia governor Brian Kemp signed a bill banning children in elementary and middle schools from using their cell phones during class.

The policy is to come into force in July next year.

But, schools in the state are tasked with creating policies that look at how devices will be stored.