Bixby Public Schools Takes Fight to Cyberbullying with New Policy

BIXBY, Okla. — The Bixby Public School Board voted to change its policy for the 2024 school year, banning the use of cellphones and other electronic devices by students in ninth grade and younger.

This coming school year, students will not be allowed to carry cellphones, AirPods, or smartwatches during classes; instead, they will have to put them in their backpacks or lockers.

The district sent an email to parents and students. Superintendent Rob Miller said cellphones are a factor in cyberbullying and distracting students.

2 News checked the latest data from the state Department of Health.

The Oklahoma Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 16% of Oklahoma public high school students had been cyberbullied, and 70% of students who had been cyberbullied were more likely to report symptoms of depression.

Jennifer Pardue is a senior at Bixby High. She tells 2 News she is happy with the new policy.

“There’s no reason they need them in the classroom. They can still have them during lunch and recess or during free time. They just can’t have them during a teacher-led lesson,” Pardue said. “And I think that’s a great idea.”

We reached out to Bixby School District several times for comment on this matter but did not receive a response in time for this article to be published.

In the same email to parents, Principal Miller wrote that this was not an easy decision and encouraged parents to support the school board’s decision.

Now, other schools could follow suit. Luke Chitwood with Tulsa Public Schools told us they plan to change some policies soon, but he didn’t specify which ones.

Newkirk and Ponca City Public Schools posted on Facebook that they are banning phones during classes.

The policy states that second, third and fourth year students are allowed to use their phones outside of school hours, such as during lunch.

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