Fort Smith, Ark. — A new bill aimed at reducing student distractions and improving mental health has cleared a significant hurdle in the Arkansas State Senate. The Bell to Bell No Cell Act, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Dees (R-Siloam Springs), passed in committee on Monday and is now set to go before the full Senate for a vote.
The bill proposes a statewide ban on cell phone use during school hours, with the goal of creating a more focused and distraction-free environment for both students and teachers. Dees highlighted the increasing rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among students, which he linked to excessive cell phone use, social media exposure, and screen time.
“We’re seeing statistics and data showing our students increase in anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, all related back to cell phone use, screen usage, social media exposure,” Dees said. He further explained that the bill seeks to mitigate these issues by reducing students’ screen time during school hours.
Dees pointed to the success of pilot programs already implemented in schools across the state, which have shown promising results. According to Dees, these pilot programs have led to a reduction in disciplinary problems, including those related to drug use, as well as improved attendance and academic performance. Teachers have also reported higher levels of student engagement.
However, the bill is not without exceptions. Students with medical needs or emergency situations would be allowed to use their phones as necessary. In addition, the bill allows individual school districts to decide how to implement the policy, offering them local control over its application.
“All we’re saying is that it has to be bell to bell no cell, but they get to decide what that looks like for their school,” Dees explained.
While the bill received support from some quarters, not everyone is in favor of it. Steve Grappe, a representative from Stand Up Arkansas, expressed concerns about the potential overreach of the legislation, arguing that such decisions should be left to local communities.
“This seems like this is a general assembly overreach because we need to be looking at what’s best for our local communities and letting our local communities make those kinds of decisions,” Grappe said during the committee hearing.
Grappe also questioned why the bill doesn’t apply to private schools that receive public funding, suggesting that if the policy is deemed beneficial, it should be consistently applied across all schools.
In response, Dees stated that the bill’s jurisdiction does not extend to private schools or homeschool settings, emphasizing that those schools are not subject to the same regulations as public institutions.
Despite opposition, the bill has now moved to the full Senate, where it will be debated and voted on. If passed, the policy would be implemented beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, marking a significant shift in how schools across Arkansas approach cell phone use.
Supporters of the bill argue that it will promote a healthier, more focused educational environment, while critics warn that it could infringe upon local autonomy in school decision-making. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, it remains to be seen whether it will gain enough support to become law.