The beginning of the 2025-2026 school year has come and with it there is one topic on everyone’s mind: the cellphone ban.

Bill 139, put forward by Senator Ally Seifried, passed in the Oklahoma Senate on March 13, 2025 and was approved by the Governor on May 3, 2025.

The bill prohibits the use of any and all electronic devices in schools. The bill defines this as “bell-to-bell”, meaning no matter if it is lunch, advisory, study hall or even passing period, students are not allowed to use any electronics from the first bell of the day to the last.

Differing perspectives
Many believe the rule is far too extreme and based more on control rather than logic.

“I think that this ban is honestly unnecessary and is not giving kids a chance to learn self control and (not) preparing them for how the real world is,” said junior Chloe Ramsey.

While many upperclassmen have taken issue with the cellphone ban, the transition for freshman students was easier. Many freshmen have agreed that the policy remained basically the same as their time in middle school.

However, the consequences then were far less strict then than they are now.

In middle school, students were asked to simply put their phones away when they were seen with them. Now they are referred to the office where they must leave their phone to pick up after school.

How the ban is interfering in the classroom
Upperclassmen have not been shy in their opinions on the ban. Junior Violet Iver was recently assigned as Social Media Manager for ENHS Broadcasting, and she conveyed how the ban has affected her ability to succeed in the position.

“I was so excited to be the social media manager for Broadcasting this year, but the cellphone ban has made enjoying it very difficult,” Iver mentioned.

Iver also expressed issues with handling the responsibilities of the position while at home. So much of her role involves the use of cellphones to record, edit and post content — content that is crucial to promoting Broadcasting and school events such as BALTO, THUD Week and much more.

It’s obvious that technology has become a part of our everyday lives. Not only at home, but in the classroom. When so many websites and resources are restricted on school computers, students rely on their cellphones to be able to complete work. One good example of this would be inserting images into google slides or canvas submissions.

The cellphone ban has inconvenienced students in other ways. My peers and I have found it difficult to sign up for the Remind app courses used by teachers, to log back into AP CollegeBoard and to get more information for school clubs.

Furthermore, the politicians enforcing the bill have not been students during a time when technology is in every aspect of education. How can they truly understand the circumstances?

Educator’s opinions
Most of the faculty, on the other hand, have agreed that the cellphone ban could benefit students. Another name for the ban has been “The Power of Presence”, and that is exactly what the principals, teachers and other staff members have been trying to enforce. They want students to engage and focus during their classes and to communicate and socialize with one another.

Junior Principal Mr. Lowe mentioned a great improvement in the cooperation of students since the ban. He acknowledged that there might be hurdles to overcome in the transition to no phones. However, he is optimistic that there are many ways to succeed alongside the new law. He acknowledged the dependence that many students have developed on their phones and believes the ban could do everyone some good — even his fellow ENHS staff members (including himself).

So the cellphone ban clearly has elicited polarizing opinions. Some believe that it could be beneficial for a student’s mental well-being and academic success, while others have only been inconvenienced by the ban and would hope for it to be undone in the near future.

Whether Ally Seifried is purposefully trying to ruin our lives or honestly doing what she thinks is best for the future of education, we may never know. But I do know one thing: I miss my phone.

What is your opinion on the new policy? Do you think this will be for the better, or will it only cause more harm? Let us know in the comments!