Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act, a new piece of legislation aimed at banning smartphones and other personal electronic devices, including smartwatches, from all public schools in Arkansas starting in the 2025-2026 school year. Senator Tyler Dees (District 35) and Representative Jon Eubanks (District 46) are sponsoring the bill.
Governor Sanders emphasized the rise in mental health issues among young people, attributing it to the unrestricted use of smartphones and social media. “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,” she stated.
Representative Jon Eubanks echoed this sentiment, highlighting the detrimental impact of cell phones on student focus. “I think we can all agree cell phones are a serious distraction for students. This legislation will limit that distraction so that phones do not interfere with the learning process.”
The Bell to Bell, No Cell Act will enforce the prohibition of personal electronic devices throughout the school day, from the start of the bell to the end. Each public school district will be required to make their cell phone policy public on their websites, outlining specific exemptions for health reasons, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), after-school extracurricular activities, and emergencies.