New bill would ban phones "bell-to-bell" for middle and high school students

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — 'Bell-to-bell' is a new phrase signifying a bill proposed again by Republican Senator Ally Seifried, ahead of next months legislative session.

"In the short amount of time I've been talking about this, it's been really heartwarming to hear the positive response from parents, from teachers, saying, our students really need this school psychologist to see the kids and realize the distraction and the negative effects that constant access to social media have had on them and has been reaffirming," said Seifried in Jaunuary 2024.

We spoke with Senator Seifried at the beginning of last year, when she introduced Senate Bill 1321 and the "Let Them Learn Act," with the same mission.

This year, Senate Bill 139 would ban the use of phones on middle school and high school campuses from the first bell to the dismissal bell.

Democratic House Representative Mickey Dollens, said, "I'm a big proponent of banning cell phones in schools. As a former teacher, I know how hard it is to compete for the attention of students who have a smartphone."

The proposal said there will be consequences if students were to violate the policy.

Senator Seifried is asking the Oklahoma State Department of Education to create a grant program for middle and high schools.

$2M would be available on a first-come, first-served basis for schools to buy equipment that would store the phones during the school day.

"By eliminating smartphones in schools, we're not only going to have better grades, but less bullying and less fighting, less comparing," said Rep. Dollens.

However, students would be allowed to use their phones for emergencies, or if they use their device to monitor health issues.

The state of Oklahoma currently ranks #49 in education.

Despite arguments on both sides, Dollens said he has no doubt the outcome will be positive.

"In every state that has taken this measure, which it does seem to be at the state level, otherwise the local superintendents take a lot of heat from parents, but have a uniform cell phone ban in classrooms across the state," Dollens said.

I did try reaching out to Senator Seifried again Sunday to see if she had any updated comments, but it is the weekend, and I haven't heard back yet.