OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation making Oklahoma’s statewide “Bell to Bell, No Cell” policy permanent, requiring school districts to restrict student cellphone use throughout the school day.
The law, enacted last month, requires districts to prohibit student cellphone use on campus from the beginning to the end of the school day while allowing exceptions for emergencies and documented medical needs. The measure makes permanent a statewide policy that was previously in place for the 2025-26 school year.
“In 2024, I challenged every school in Oklahoma to go phone-free so our kids could put their focus back in their studies instead of on their screens,” Stitt said in a statement. “Today, we’re making that vision permanent in state law.”
Supporters say the policy is intended to reduce classroom distractions, improve student engagement and strengthen academic performance.
“We’ve invested in reading, we’ve raised the bar on academic standards, and we’re seeing results,” Stitt said. “Kids need the opportunity to chase their American Dreams, and that starts in a distraction-free learning environment.”
State Sen. Ally Seifried, a co-author of the legislation, said schools that have already implemented phone-free policies have reported improvements in student focus, behavior and peer interaction.
“This policy has already made a tremendous difference in classrooms across the state by reducing distractions, cutting down on bullying, keeping kids focused on learning throughout the school day and ensuring they develop the social skills to interact with their peers face-to-face,” Seifried said.
