Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 139 on May 6, enforcing a permanent cell phone ban in schools for the 2025-2026 school year.

The goal of the ban is to reduce distractions and promote a more focused learning environment for students.

Students will not be able to use their cell phones and personal electronic devices like smartwatches, tablets and smart glasses during the school day (from the first bell to the last) in all Oklahoma public schools.

According to KTUL news, “this means that they can’t have it in between classes, they’re just away for the day so that kids have the opportunity to focus for about six to seven hours on their academics, work on their social skills, work on friendships and look each other and their teachers in the eye,” said Sen. Ally Seifried. 

According to News 9,“this is one of those [decisions] that changes the trajectory of our education system” said Sen. Dave Rader. 

How districts plan to implement the ban is up to them. This is a trial run for a year and afterward, districts can choose to modify their policies as they want. The ban will include exceptions for students who need their phones for medical reasons and in emergency situations. 

“With playing a sport at the school and being a sophomore that can’t drive, not having my phone to contact my parents would really affect me being able to get home at the end of the day,” said junior student Caryl Womack.

However, on the opposing side parents and some representatives believe there will be safety issues and lose control from the ban. 

Rep. Danny Williams said he liked the original House bill that would have allowed districts to opt out and provided local control.

As stated by OU Daily, “I’m not fond of the requirement because we talk a lot about local control, and it looks like we’re kind of creeping into no control in the first year of this,” said Williams.

Parents have diverse opinions when it comes to the ban. Some are very concerned about not being able to contact their children and some say it will provide a better education. 

There is a state-wide split between whether the ban will be beneficial to the students and their education or if it will cause more issues for families and districts.