Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act into law. The legislation bans smartphones and other personal electronic devices like smart watches from all public schools in Arkansas. The legislation will go into effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year.
“We have seen a staggering rise in mental illness among young people over the past decade. The culprit is clear: unrestricted access to smartphones and social media,” said Governor Sanders when the legislation was announced earlier this year. “After the overwhelming success of our phone-free schools pilot program, it’s clear that it’s time for Arkansas to ban smartphones, bell to bell, in every school in our state.”
Under the new legislation, each public school district is required to publish its cell phone policy on its website, including policies and exemptions concerning cell phones on school property and at school-related functions. Districts are required to provide exemptions for health reasons, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), after-school extracurricular activities, and emergencies.
“Arkansas kids deserve every advantage we as parents can give them, and helping them keep their heads in the game at school isn’t just good for their mental health. It will improve the quality of their education overall, making them more prepared for the challenges of life. Disconnecting students from doom-scrolling on big tech social media platforms during school is common sense and will help with their social and emotional health,” said State Senator Tyler Dees, who cosponsored the bill.
The legislation followed a phone-free schools pilot program that launched last summer. Participating districts received funding to purchase containers for students to store their devices and experience a phone-free education.
