Missouri Governor signs Senate Bill 68 banning cellphones from schools

MISSOURI(KBSI) – Missouri has joined at least 29 other states in banning cellphones in the classroom.

This week Missouri’s Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 68 which bans all personal electronics for students’ grades k through 12 for public schools. This has brought a little bit of a mixed reaction from parents.

Now app user Christine W. “I actually feel impartial about this new law going into effect. As long as the kiddos are able to have the cell phones, as long as they’re not using them in class I think that, that is fair but if there is an emergency then I absolutely believe that they should be able to have their cell phone tin the classroom, put away for whatever needs to be done, just in case.” 

Where some parents and educators say this will help with focus and is a move in the right direction some believe this is government overreach and it should be left up to the parents or the school district.  

Jill Hudson is a Missouri teacher and weighs in “As a teacher I think the cellphone ban in schools is a good thing because it distracts from the learning also kids do not need more access to social media throughout the day. It definently causes problems throughout the middle school and high school level.”

The new law goes into effect on August 28, 2025, and includes all personal electronics including cellphones, smart watches, headphones, tablets or personal laptops with the exception of students with documented medical needs, or disability needs, extreme emergencies or approved by a teacher.

Many parents say their main concern is emergency situations.

Particularly with the recent rise in school shootings. According to Education Weekly there were 39 school shootings in 2024, the highest seen since the record high in 2022 with 51.   

And according to Missouri State Highway Patrol’s courage2reportmo system Missouri specifically experienced a significant increase in school shooter threats.  

Now app user Lindsay Koelmel “I think it’s great because it’s what we all grew up doing and if you need to get ahold of your student you can call the school and get ahold of them that way and it limits distractions and drama, however in case of an emergency situation I hate to say it or even bring it up, but an active shooter I think it is nice for parents to have direct access to their students.”