Phone-Free Schools: Inside Oklahoma’s One-Year Statewide Ban
Oklahoma joins states like Arkansas and Texas in mandating bell-to-bell restrictions across all public schools for the 2025-26 school year.
Oklahoma is the latest to join the wave of states taking bold action on school phone use. On May 5, 2025, Governor Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 139 into law, mandating a full, statewide "bell-to-bell" cellphone ban in all public schools for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The policy prohibits students from using phones, tablets, smartwatches, and other personal devices from the first bell until final dismissal, making Oklahoma part of a national shift toward structured, phone-free learning environments.
After the one-year mandate, districts can choose to continue the policy locally, but many are already preparing to make phone-free learning the norm.
What Oklahoma Districts Must Do by July 2025
Oklahoma’s phone-free mandate is a statewide commitment to improving focus, presence, and learning.
Starting July 2025, over 500 public school districts began removing phones from the school day. What happens next? That’s what everyone’s watching. Will lunchrooms get louder with conversation? Will teachers gain back hours of instruction? Will social drama decline as screens disappear?
If trends from other states are any indication, the answers will be clear—and positive.
To comply with SB 139, districts must:
Prohibit the use or display of phones, tablets, smartwatches, and personal devices from bell to bell
Allow for documented exceptions (emergencies, IEPs/504s, medical needs)
Establish and communicate clear enforcement and discipline procedures
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What Oklahoma Leaders Are Saying
Oklahoma leaders are calling this law a commonsense step toward restoring focus, safety, and academic integrity in classrooms. Support has come from the Governor’s office, state legislators, and education advocates alike.
Governor of Oklahoma Kevin Stitt:
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed the bill into law on May 5, 2025, noting:
“We want kids to be focused and present while they’re with their teachers, and this legislation helps promote an environment conducive to learning.”
Senator Ally Seifried (Author of SB 139):
Senator Ally Seifried is optimistic about the positive impact it will have on school communities:
“This will allow teachers to focus entirely on educating our kids while students can concentrate on learning as much as possible. After two years of hard work on this issue, I’m thrilled to see this legislation become law, and I’m confident students, parents, and teachers will see immediate benefits once the new school year begins.”
Representative Chad Caldwell (House Sponsor):
“I appreciate Governor Stitt signing SB 139 to remove the distractions of cellphones from our schools and give our kids their childhood back.”
Oklahoma’s Clean Slate Moment
This fall, Oklahoma classrooms will get something rare: a clean slate.
For one full school year, personal devices will be out of sight, giving students and teachers a chance to rebuild classroom culture from the ground up. No buzzing. No filming. No feeds.
Just learning, talking, asking questions, and being present.
It’s a chance to study what school feels like without the constant pull of a screen, and a moment to reimagine the kind of focus today’s students truly need.
Reclaiming the Learning Environment for Students and Staff
When devices are removed from the academic day, both instruction and student engagement can thrive.
Educators report fewer disruptions, reduced stress, and more time for actual learning. Phone-free policies are creating more focused and rewarding learning environments throughout the country.
Recent data shows positive impacts in schools that have implemented these policies:
New data from the Pew Research Center found that 74% of U.S. adults support banning middle and high school students from using cellphones during class, up from 68% last fall (Pew Research).
A prior Pew Research Center report cited by the NEA showed that 90% of teachers support banning phones during instructional time, with many linking phone use to increased teacher frustration and burnout (NEA.org).
A pilot study from Auburn University found that teachers in a phone-free middle school reported increased social interaction among students and said the new environment made their work more meaningful and sustainable (Auburn University).
Research from Western Kentucky University found that the majority of teachers reported being distracted by students using their phones during class, impacting their ability to teach effectively (Western Kentucky University).
As Oklahoma districts prepare to implement this policy, it presents a valuable opportunity to not only refocus students, but to support and re-inspire the teachers who serve them each day.
WE’RE HERE TO HELP OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS GO PHONE-FREE
Yondr’s Oklahoma Team Is Here to Help
Yondr’s Phone-Free Schools Program is ready to support Oklahoma school districts as they go phone-free to meet legislative requirements. We offer both in-person and virtual consultations to address your questions and ensure smooth implementation.
Our services include:
Customized policy development tailored to your district’s needs
Comprehensive training and onboarding for staff, students, and parents
Secure, durable pouches that let students keep phones without the distractions
Reliable unlocking infrastructure to ensure smooth daily operations
Ongoing support to guarantee long-term success
Join the growing number of schools across the United States partnering with Yondr to create a culture of phone-free learning environments that benefit students, teachers, and families.
Whether you’re a current partner or exploring Yondr for the first time, we’re here to help you navigate the transition to a phone-free culture. Our program is designed to support schools every step of the way—from rollout to long-term sustainability.
If you’d like to learn more about bringing Yondr to your school community, schedule a time to connect. We’d love to hear from you.