For Oklahoma parents, the first day of school came with a new fear: not being able to reach their children in an emergency. A statewide cell phone ban, signed into law this year, is forcing families to adjust to classrooms where student devices are off-limits from bell to bell.
Mandated by Oklahoma Senate Bill 139, the law prohibits students from using cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, or similar devices from the opening bell until dismissal. The ban is mandatory for all districts this school year. Beginning in 2026–27, individual districts will have the option to continue or modify their policies.
Supporters say the law will reduce distractions and curb cyberbullying, but opponents argue it leaves students vulnerable in emergencies, exacerbates parental anxiety, and fails to address deeper problems in a state ranking second to last in the nation’s education quality.
Governor Stitt’s Push for “Phone-Free” Schools
Governor Kevin Stitt has championed the measure as a way to improve classroom focus.
“We’re seeing classrooms across the country struggle with the influx of cellphone use by students,” Stitt said when signing the bill. “We want kids to be focused and present while they’re with their teachers, and this legislation helps promote an environment conducive to learning.”
The ban builds on Stitt’s 2024 “cellphone-free schools challenge,” which encouraged districts to adopt stricter limits. Now, Oklahoma has joined a growing number of states with comprehensive restrictions.
Phones as Lifelines During School Shootings
While the governor frames the ban as an academic reform, critics argue it raises profound safety concerns. Across the nation, students have used phones as lifelines during active shooter situations—calling 911, texting parents, and alerting authorities in real time.
In the 2022 Uvalde, Texas massacre, multiple students trapped inside classrooms dialed 911 using their cell phones. In Georgia and Michigan, students under fire contacted their parents to provide updates about their safety. Similar accounts have surfaced from shootings in Florida and Colorado.
Removing phones from students’ hands during school hours, critics argue, could strip away critical tools during moments of chaos and uncertainty.
Cell Phone Ban: Mental Health Toll in the Classroom
The ban also has significant psychological implications, according to mental health experts.
“Fear creates anxiety, it creates distraction, it creates worry,” said Kelsee McCutchen, Clinical Director for Tulsa County Outpatient Services at GRAND Mental Health. “In emergencies—like a fire drill or a school shooter drill—if kids aren’t well informed, I could see how that would increase anxiety. I don’t know if this is real or fake. I can’t call the police.”
McCutchen noted that beyond emergencies, the absence of phones is forcing students to relearn basic social interactions.
“Kids are also having to relearn how to be in school without phones. They’re used to quick dopamine hits from social media. Now they have to figure out: What do I do when I’m bored? How do I look someone in the eye and have a conversation? That’s going to require more foresight and planning, which can be scary.”
Phones have also served as coping mechanisms for students facing bullying or isolation. Without them, McCutchen said schools must ensure children know which adults they can turn to for support.
Parents Push Back: National Parents Union Responds
The National Parents Union (NPU), which represents families nationwide, has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of blanket school cell phone bans. Surveys conducted by the organization show that while many parents support restrictions on recreational phone use, most want their children to have access for emergencies, coordination, and basic communication.
A March 2024 NPU poll found that 78% of parents want their children to have phones available at school in case of emergencies, and more than half cited the need to communicate about after-school pickups and transportation. Only about 32% supported policies where phones are completely locked away, with the majority preferring more balanced approaches, such as allowing phone use at lunch, recess, or under teacher supervision.
NPU President Keri Rodrigues has strongly opposed one-size-fits-all bans.
“It’s 2024 – and all families rely on cell phones to stay connected…Banning cell phones outright in school is entirely unreasonable and not grounded in the reality we live in,” Rodrigues said. “Cell phone bans fail to take into consideration the tragic, real-life scenarios that unfortunately play out all too often in schools.”
The organization instead urges schools to develop locally informed policies that balance safety and learning while building trust with parents.
Teachers Shoulder the Burden
Teachers, meanwhile, must enforce the ban—a responsibility that adds to their already heavy workloads.
“We’ve all seen the videos of kids acting out in class. Teachers often don’t feel supported,” McCutchen said. “Consistency is key. Statewide bans make it easier to enforce because everyone is under the same rule. Some schools use lockboxes for phones, and that helps with compliance.”
Still, teachers are concerned about how enforcement might affect classroom dynamics and disciplinary equity.
Local Voices: Parents and Teachers Respond
Jen Solis, a Tulsa parent, said her daughter’s school once used Yondr pouches to restrict phones, but when costs forced a shift to looser rules, online bullying, secret recordings, and classroom distractions surged. “I am completely supportive of no-phones school environments,” Solis said. “But I believe it’s best implemented through an educational lens, not by policymakers who aren’t in schools daily.”
By contrast, Oklahoma City high school teacher and parent Amanda Jeffers praised the ban, saying students are reading more and working through social awkwardness. “My son is more engaged in class and even takes a book to school,” Jeffers said. While acknowledging safety concerns, she argued phones wouldn’t change outcomes in an emergency. “The benefits of a cell phone ban far outweigh the cons. Our children need this.”
Oklahoma’s Education Ranking: Last in the Nation
The cell phone ban comes amid broader struggles in Oklahoma’s education system. A 2025 WalletHub study ranked Oklahoma 50th out of 51 states (including Washington, D.C.), ahead only of New Mexico.
The state placed last in education quality, weighed down by low standardized test scores, poor graduation rates, and limited college readiness. While Oklahoma ranked 34th in school safety, critics argue that banning phones does little to address these systemic issues.
Analysts from the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs note that despite increased funding in recent years, student performance has not improved—and in some cases, has worsened.
Short-Term Stress, Long-Term Potential
Despite the challenges, McCutchen sees potential benefits if schools handle the transition thoughtfully.
“Short term—yes, there will be stress and anxiety. Change never feels good at first. But many studies show phones and social media have significantly increased anxiety in youth. Jonathan Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation discusses this in detail. I think this policy could ultimately reduce symptoms. By the end of the school year, we should reassess how it’s helping or hurting.”
Community Resources
In Tulsa and North Tulsa, organizations such as Skills on Wheels, Betty Jackson Agencies, Mason Counseling Services, Joy Counseling, and Said Life are available to help families manage the transition with counseling, safety planning, and emotional support.
“If parents don’t know how to create safety plans, mental health professionals can help them through the process,” McCutchen said.
The Bigger Picture about the Cell Phone Ban
Oklahoma’s ban reflects a growing national debate over cell phones in schools. Are they fueling distraction and anxiety, or essential lifelines in an age of school shootings and constant communication?
Governor Stitt and supporters believe the policy will foster more engaged classrooms. But the National Parents Union argues it overlooks families’ daily realities and may leave students less safe in emergencies.
With Oklahoma’s public education system already ranked last in the nation, the stakes of this debate are especially high. As the year unfolds, policymakers, educators, and parents will be watching closely to see if the phone-free experiment improves learning. Others worry it could add another layer of fear and frustration to a system already under strain.
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