Missouri’s New School Rules: What SB 68 Means for Students and Parents

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Starting August 28, 2025, Missouri schools will implement a new law, Senate Bill 68 (SB 68), that bans students from using cell phones and other personal electronic devices during school hours. Governor Mike Kehoe signed the bill, part of a larger education package, with the goal of creating a more focused learning environment.

The ban covers devices such as cell phones, tablets, and smartwatches. Students will not be allowed to use them from the first bell until dismissal. Missouri joins at least 24 other states with similar rules, reflecting a growing national discussion about the impact of devices on learning.

Supporters say personal devices can disrupt classrooms, impact focus, and make classroom management harder for teachers. Research has linked high device use to shorter attention spans, lower grades, and increased anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying. A February 2025 poll found more than 70% of Missouri voters support banning phones in K–12 schools.

Under SB 68, students will keep devices put away for the school day. Districts are adopting different approaches. Poplar Bluff and Riverview Gardens are using locking Yondr pouches for middle and high school students, while Raymore-Peculiar and Lebanon R-3 require devices to stay in lockers or backpacks.

Some students have raised concerns, noting that phones can be used for school-related tasks such as taking photos of experiments, scanning QR codes, or providing internet access if school Wi-Fi fails. Questions have also been raised about whether banning devices during school hours will address issues like cyberbullying, which often happen outside of school. Consequences for breaking the rule could include confiscation or in-school suspension for repeated violations.

For parents, the change means calls or texts to their children during the day will no longer be possible. Urgent messages will need to go through the school office. Some parents have expressed concern about emergencies, while school officials emphasize that emergency procedures are in place and student safety remains the top priority. The law allows exceptions for documented medical needs or Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), which parents can arrange through their child’s principal.

Public reaction has been mixed. Many support the change, saying it will help students concentrate, while others believe students should have the option to keep their devices for personal communication or emergencies. Discussion in our Facebook group reflected this range of opinions (see original post here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/199RZN5Uss/).

Implementation will vary by district, so families should check their school’s website and student handbook for specific rules. More information about SB 68 and its rollout will be available as the start date approaches.