NORMAN, OK — With Oklahoma’s new “bell-to-bell” phone ban now in effect, students, teachers, and parents are adjusting to the change, and opinions are divided on whether the law helps or hurts learning.
The measure, Senate Bill 139, signed into law in May 2025, requires public schools statewide to enforce a strict ban on student cell phone use during the school day, starting with the 2025–26 school year. Students may still carry their phones but must keep them silenced and put away, except for emergencies, medical monitoring, or situations covered by an IEP or 504 plan.
Now that the law is in full swing, some students at Norman High see the ban as too restrictive.
“I feel like it’s kinda extreme in the way that we have to put up our phones all the time, bell to bell, no lunch,” said junior Sophia Williams.
Transportation and communication were also top concerns for students.
“Getting home from school is harder,” said junior Jayla Fuller. “If I stay after school or go to a friend’s house, I can’t text my parents until I leave campus.”
Teachers, meanwhile, largely praised the policy.
“My classes are more engaged, I’m moving through lessons faster, and students are finishing assignments earlier,” said Norman High math teacher Mrs. Shull. “I think it’s overall a positive thing.”
Even some students acknowledged some benefits.
“I think a lot of kids have really bad attention spans, so this will help students hone in on what they’re supposed to be doing,” Williams said. “We’re paying attention more because we’re kinda forced to. It’s not like we have a choice.”
Concerns over emergency safety were also raised, but staff emphasized that phones are not confiscated outright.
“It’s not about possessing your phones, but more so about using them,” Mrs. Shull said.
Mrs. Roberts, an assistant principal at Norman High, added that the school is prepared for emergencies through the RAVE app and immediate contact with police, fire, and EMS.
As we move into the 5th week of school, the debate remains: will the phone ban improve learning long-term, or will its drawbacks outweigh its gains? For now, Norman High students and staff continue to navigate life without bell-to-bell cell phones.