The familiar buzz of a student’s cell phone or the quick check to see who texted you is now a distant memory in Missouri schools. The recent passing of Senate Bill 68 has completely overhauled student life during the school day. This drastic change has brought some relief from educators, but also some major concerns from students and parents.
Missouri Senate Bill 68, signed into effect by Governor Mike Kehoe on July 9, 2025, bans the use of personal devices during the school day, and it is effective for the 2025-2026 school year. Students are having mixed first thoughts about the new rule, pointing out both the positives and negatives. Senior Riley Morris believes the new rule helps all students as a whole, but it still comes with some inconveniences.
“Having no phones definitely helps people pay attention in class,” Morris said. “But the whole thing is just very inconvenient.”
Without phones, students will be forced to pay more attention in class, and in turn, student performance in class should increase. Broadcasting teacher Chance Parsons has already seen improvement throughout all of his classes.
“The new law has already increased attention in my class,” Parsons said.
The new law has brought some positives: research shows that phones can significantly reduce students’ attention spans, and teachers say they’re already noticing a difference. But students have some major concerns about not being able to access their phones throughout the school day. Sophomore Christopher Staggs doesn’t like the recent phone ban because getting in contact with family is more difficult after the passing of the bill.
“I don’t like (Senate Bill 68) at all because what if there’s an emergency and you need to contact your parents,” Staggs said.
The phone ban has also made communication more difficult, as email is often slower than a quick text. Not being able to quickly reach parents in an emergency has been one of the main concerns raised by both parents and students. Incoming freshmen like Madison Boone aren’t loving Senate Bill 68 as they were looking forward to more freedom coming into the high school.
“I’m kind of mad about it because I just got out of Osage Trail and I expected to have the freedom of having my phone this year,” Boone said.
The first full year under Senate Bill 68 will test how schools, families, and students adapt to life in school without constant digital connection.
