On July 9, 2025, the Missouri Senate passed Bill 68, issuing a statewide mandate which bans cell phones from bell to bell in schools. The Bell Newspaper staff voted unanimously that our phone policy is a better adaptation of the Senate mandate because students still have access to their devices for emergencies; however, the access is limited in a way that minimizes classroom distraction.
A recent poll conducted by the Spectator Yearbook claims students believe cell phones create a sense of security, and while they can be a distraction, most students have a respect for time and place in the classroom.
Last year, the school adopted a similar policy to attempt to improve test grades; it has now been modified to comply with the mandate.
“I like how our school handles the policy because I still have access to my phone if I need it,” sophomore Royce Schmalz said
The bill, which focused on minimizing distractions for students, has sparked a debate among students about safety. Students no longer feel they have a sense of safety on their campus without the ability to have contact outside the school, the threat of violence feels extremely real with the amount of school shootings in the US.
According to CNN, “There have been 53 school shootings in the United States as of September 23. Twenty-seven were on college campuses and 26 were on K-12 school grounds. The incidents left 19 people dead and at least 84 other victims injured.”
This threat felt very close to Liberty’s students at this year’s homecoming, after a fight between a few individuals took place at the dance, where a weapon was reported by students but never found by staff or law enforcement. The situation caused mass panic, resulting in large numbers of students exiting the building at once, ending the dance early. Students immediately contacted parents and family members, as well as law enforcement, once outside on their devices. Students left their phones and other belongings in the gymnasium. Students without their devices reported being more panicked than students with their devices due to a lack of information and connection with loved ones.
“I dont know what I would’ve done if I didn’t have my phone. I know it seems like such a small thing, but being able to call my friends and know they were okay and tell my family that I was okay made me feel so much more relieved after everything that happened.”
Students have a reasonable fear for their safety in schools. Phones are a lifeline to parents in an emergency; not having access to their cell phones shouldn’t be an option.
Educators, however, believe that phones are a distraction to the learning environment in schools.
According to Paw Research Center, “High school teachers are especially likely to see cellphones as problematic. About seven-in-ten (72%) say that students being distracted by cellphones is a major problem in their classroom,”.
While we agree that phone use needs to be limited in classes, completely restricting access to devices during times such as lunch and free periods is not necessary to eliminate the distraction. Taking away access during these times only adds more stress and anxiety to students, considering phones are such an integral part of teens’ daily lives.
“I dont think it’s necessary to ban phones during lunch or flex because I listen to music and catch up with what’s happening outside of the school. I like that our school lets us use them,” Schmalz said.
As students of the school newspaper, we believe that Liberty High School has a more effective policy than other schools in the Northland. Cell phones are necessary to provide a sense of security to students, and their use is acceptable in classrooms as long as students respect the mandate and understand the consequences of using them.
