What is the Arkansas Bell to Bell, No Cell Act?

It is Act 122 of 2025, from Senate Bill 142. It requires every public school district and open-enrollment charter school to adopt a written policy that keeps personal devices out of use for the whole school day, from the first bell to the last, with exceptions such as health needs, IEP or 504 plans and emergencies.

Does Bell to Bell, No Cell cover school-issued Chromebooks?

The act targets personal devices. School-issued technology used for instruction is generally outside the restriction, and stays under the district's 6-21-107 blocking system and CIPA filter.

Does Arkansas have a student data privacy law for edtech operators?

Yes. The Student Online Personal Information Protection Act, codified at Ark. Code 6-18-109 and amended in 2017, limits how operators of K-12 sites, services and apps may use covered student information, including a ban on targeted advertising based on that information.

State guide: Arkansas

Arkansas School Internet Safety Laws

Q: Does Arkansas have its own school internet filtering law?

Yes. Ark. Code 6-21-107 requires each school district board to adopt a written policy on the use of district computers, and that policy must provide for a system that blocks access to material harmful to minors on all public access computers in the district. It applies whether or not a district takes E-Rate.

Q: Do Arkansas students have to sign a computer use agreement?

Yes. Under Ark. Code 6-21-107, a student must sign a computer use agreement describing proper and improper use before using public access computers, and the district policy must include penalties for violations, with stronger penalties for repeat violations.

Arkansas is one of the states with its own school filtering statute. Since 2001, Ark. Code 6-21-107 has required every school board to run a system that blocks material harmful to minors on public access computers.

In 2025 the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act took personal phones out of the school day. Here is how both fit with CIPA.

Ark. Code 6-21-107Board computer policy, blocking system, signed student agreements

Act 122 of 2025Bell to Bell, No Cell: personal devices out of use all school day

Ark. Code 6-18-109Student Online Personal Information Protection Act for operators

Federal baseline

What CIPA requires of Arkansas schools

CIPA applies to schools and libraries that take E-Rate discounts for internet access or internal connections. Each funding year, the school certifies compliance on FCC Form 486, or a consortium member certifies on Form 479.

Protection measure

Blocks or filters visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors on computers minors use.

Safety policy

Covers inappropriate material, email and chat safety, hacking, disclosure of minors' data and restricting harmful materials.

Public meeting

Adopted after reasonable public notice and at least one public hearing or meeting.

Monitoring and teaching

Monitoring minors' online activity and teaching online behavior, social networking safety and cyberbullying awareness.

See what CIPA is and who must comply for the full federal picture.

Two duties, one setting

Cover every public access computer without a second system

Arkansas boards answer to CIPA for E-Rate and to 6-21-107 for every public access computer, whether or not E-Rate is involved. Our hosted CIPA filter puts one set of category rules behind both, and you read the result in a single console.

Adult and VPN/Proxy/Anonymizers are on in the CIPA preset
Optional categories such as Gambling and Weapons are yours to switch on
Media centers and labs get their own settings if the board wants them different

Reports and readiness checklist an Arkansas board can open when asked about its blocking system

120M+

domains a blocking system can recognise by category

99.99%

of live sites with a label, not left unknown

1 DNS setting

to bring each school onto the filter

Show me the filter for Arkansas boards Ask for a pilot in one Arkansas school Test a domain against the categories

State law one

Ark. Code 6-21-107: Arkansas's school filter statute

Arkansas passed this law in 2001, the same period CIPA took effect. Unlike CIPA, it is not tied to E-Rate. It is a duty on every school district board, summarized here in our own words.

Ark. Code 6-21-107Written policy on district-owned computers, in force since 2001

The policy

Each board adopts a written policy on student and staff use of district-owned computers. The policy must provide for a system that blocks access to material harmful to minors on all public access computers in the district.

The agreement

Before a student may use a public access computer, the student signs a computer use agreement that describes proper and improper use of the equipment.

The penalties

The policy sets penalties for violations, with stronger penalties for repeat offenders, and those penalties become part of the student discipline policy.

Key definitions

Harmful to minors: takes its meaning from Ark. Code 5-68-501, the state criminal code definition.
Public access computer: a computer in a public school or public library that a minor can reach and that is connected to the internet or a similar network.
Who adopts: the board of directors of each school district.

How it differs from CIPA

Applies whether or not a district takes E-Rate.
Requires a signed student agreement before use, which CIPA does not.
Ties penalties into the student discipline policy.
Uses the state definition of harmful to minors, alongside the federal CIPA terms.

In practice most Arkansas districts write one policy that meets 6-21-107 and the CIPA internet safety policy together. The state statute adds the signed agreement and the discipline link, so check that both appear in the final version.

Agreements

The student computer use agreement, step by step

The signed agreement is the part of 6-21-107 that touches every student. A clean process keeps it from turning into a pile of paper nobody can find.

Step 1

Write it plainly

Describe proper and improper use in words students can follow, with age-appropriate versions.

Step 2

Collect before access

Students sign before they use a public access computer, often at enrollment or device handout.

Step 3

Link to discipline

State the penalties and the stronger penalties for repeat violations, as written in the discipline policy.

Step 4

Store and find

Keep signed agreements in the student information system so you can show one on request.

For model wording, see our acceptable use policy guide for schools.

State law two

Bell to Bell, No Cell: Act 122 of 2025

Senate Bill 142 became Act 122 in February 2025, sponsored by Sen. Tyler Dees and Rep. Jon Eubanks. Schools began enforcing it in the 2025-2026 school year.

ArrivalClassesLunchPassing periodsDismissal

First bellPersonal devices off and away the whole timeLast bell

Who must act

Every public school district and open-enrollment charter school adopts a written policy on personal devices during the school day.

When it applies

Bell to bell, which district guidance reads as covering lunch, recess and passing periods too.

Devices

District policies commonly list phones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds and gaming devices that the school did not issue.

Exceptions

The act requires exemptions for health reasons, IEP or 504 plans, extracurricular activities and emergencies.

Enforcement

A district that fails to adopt or enforce a policy can be cited under state accreditation standards.

School devices

School-issued learning technology is outside the personal device rule and stays under the district filter.

Some district guidance says the IEP and 504 exception applies only where the plan already allowed device use before January 1, 2025. Check the enacted text and current Division of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance before applying that detail.

For IT, the practical step is simple: keep student Wi-Fi closed to personal devices during the school day, so the network matches the policy, and make sure school devices keep their filter wherever they go.

State law three

Student data privacy: Ark. Code 6-18-109

Arkansas passed its Student Online Personal Information Protection Act in 2015, as HB 1961, and amended it in 2017. It governs operators of websites, online services and apps used for K-12 school purposes.

What is protected

Covered information is personally identifiable information about a public school student
That includes data a student or parent gives the operator
Data school staff provide, and data the operator gathers that identifies a student

What operators may not do

Use covered information for targeted advertising
Further limits on profiling, sale and disclosure apply; check the current statute text for the full list and exceptions

Separately, the Arkansas Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (Act 952 of 2025) applies to online services directed at children or teens and takes effect July 1, 2026. It is a general consumer law, not a school law, but some edtech services will fall under both.

Filtering and monitoring products hold usernames tied to browsing records. Our guide to student data privacy, FERPA and filtering covers the questions to ask.

Operations

What Arkansas law means for filtering and monitoring

Arkansas districts answer to two filter duties at once: CIPA for E-Rate and 6-21-107 for every public access computer. The settings below meet both.

Requirement	Source	Filter setting	Process
Block material harmful to minors on public access computers	6-21-107	Adult and related categories blocked on every student-reachable device and network	Board policy adopted and current
Block obscene, child pornography and harmful to minors images	CIPA	Same core categories for every student group	Public notice and hearing on file
Signed agreement before use	6-21-107	Network access tied to accounts with a signed agreement	Agreement stored per student
Stop bypass of the blocking system	6-21-107, CIPA	VPN / Proxy / Anonymizers and Remote Access Tools blocked	Repeat-violation penalties in discipline policy
Phones out of use all day	Act 122	Student Wi-Fi closed to personal devices	District device policy and storage rules
Monitor minors' online activity	CIPA	Category reports by school	Named reviewers, set schedule
Protect student data	6-18-109, CIPA	Malware / Phishing / Suspicious blocked	Operator contracts reviewed

Core blocks for every student

AdultLingerie/Swimsuits/Intimate ApparelDatingVPN / Proxy / Anonymizers

Common local blocks

GamblingIllegal DrugsWeaponsViolenceHate/DiscriminationAlcoholTobacco

Open for learning

Education/ReferenceScienceNews/MediaGovernment & LegalWebinars/E-learning

Under the state statute, the definition of a public access computer includes any internet-connected computer a minor can reach. Filtering the student network and every school device, at school and at home, is the simplest way to cover it. Read more on enforcing CIPA on off-campus student devices and on Chromebook 1:1 device filtering.

Digital learning

Digital library tools and the filter question

In 2023 a central Arkansas district removed student access to a public library's digital learning tools, citing the lack of a way to filter content. The case shows how 6-21-107 and local policy shape which outside services students can use.

Ask early

Before adopting a digital resource, ask how it limits content for minors and whether your filter can see its traffic.

Use categories

Category data lets you allow Education/Reference resources while keeping the CIPA core closed inside the same session.

Write it down

Record why a resource was approved or declined, so the decision holds up when parents or the board ask.

Arkansas also passed Act 372 of 2023 on library materials. A federal court blocked parts of it, including its criminal provision. It concerns books and library materials rather than internet filters, so check current guidance if your library team is affected.

Library tools and the filter

Learning services that a category switch should not break

The 2023 case shows how a lack of filtering control can take away useful library tools. Here is how common digital library and learning services are labelled in our data.

Service	Categories we hold
overdrive.com	Education/Reference, Arts & Entertainment
libbyapp.com	Education/Reference
gale.com	Education/Reference
ebscohost.com	Education/Reference
hoopladigital.com	Arts & Entertainment

Look up your own library services

Libraries

School libraries, public libraries and shared spaces

The 6-21-107 definition of a public access computer names public libraries as well as public schools. School media centers and joint-use libraries therefore sit inside the state rule, and CIPA adds its own duties where a library takes E-Rate.

School media centers

Library terminals are public access computers under the state statute.
The same signed agreement and blocking system apply as in classrooms.
Research databases can stay open through Education/Reference allow rules.

Public library partners

Libraries taking E-Rate follow CIPA on their own computers.
Under CIPA, adults may ask for the filter to be disabled for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
Agree in writing which policy applies to students using a partner library's devices.

For patron-side policy design, see web filtering for libraries.

New tools

AI tools on Arkansas school devices

No Arkansas statute names AI chat or image tools, so districts decide locally. Because 6-21-107 asks for a working blocking system, the real question is whether AI image tools can produce content that system must stop.

Text tools

Many districts keep AI / LLM Tools closed for younger grades and allow approved tools by name for older students.

Image tools

Image generators deserve stricter rules, since some can output material harmful to minors.

Keep current

Our AI tools set covers more than 11,800 AI-tool domains in 18 categories, updated daily. See the AI tools blocklist for schools.

Image tools that get around the rules

Keeping AI image and companion sites under the blocking system

AI image generators and companion apps are labelled AI / LLM Tools, with some also carrying Social Networking or Community Sites, for example replika.com. A district that wants 6-21-107 to keep working in practice can switch that category off per school.

See how categories are switched per school

Reality check

Common myths about Arkansas school internet rules

Two statutes and a new phone law make for plenty of half-remembered rules. These are the points we see confused most often.

"Only E-Rate schools must filter"

CIPA is tied to E-Rate, but 6-21-107 applies to every district board. Opting out of E-Rate does not remove the state duty.

"An agreement signed once covers years"

The statute asks for a signed agreement before use. Many districts collect it each year so it matches the current policy.

"Bell to Bell means no screens at all"

The act limits personal devices. School-issued learning technology used for instruction is a separate matter.

"The filter handles phones"

Phones on cellular data skip the school network. The device policy and storage rules are the control for them.

"A fixed block list is enough"

Proxy and adult sites appear daily. Our database categorizes about 300,000 newly registered domains every day, which a hand-kept list cannot match.

"Monitoring means watching screens"

CIPA asks for monitoring of minors' online activities. Category reports and alert review usually meet that need.

If you are reviewing your current setup, our school web filter test shows how to check what students can actually reach.

Action list

Arkansas school internet safety checklist

One yearly pass for federal and state duties. For extra depth on the federal side, use the CIPA compliance checklist.

Board computer use policy adopted and current6-21-107

Blocking system active on every public access computer6-21-107

Signed agreement on file for every student user6-21-107

Penalties, including repeat violations, in the discipline policy6-21-107

CIPA categories blocked for every student groupCIPA

Internet safety policy with public notice and hearingCIPA

Monitoring roles and review schedule setCIPA

Online safety and cyberbullying lessons taughtCIPA

Bell to Bell device policy adopted with required exemptionsAct 122

Student Wi-Fi closed to personal devices during the dayAct 122

Operator contracts checked against 6-18-1096-18-109

Form 486 or Form 479 filed on timeE-Rate

Audit file

Evidence to keep for CIPA and Arkansas law

An accreditation review, an E-Rate review or a parent complaint all ask the same thing: show it. These records cover most requests.

Board policy

The 6-21-107 computer use policy and the CIPA internet safety policy, with adoption dates.

Board office, when revised

Signed agreements

Student computer use agreements, searchable by student.

Schools, each enrollment

Filter export

Blocked categories by student group, with an export date.

IT, each term

Device policy

Bell to Bell policy, exemptions list and how families were told.

District office, each year

Discipline records

How violations, and repeat violations, were handled.

Principals, ongoing

Monitoring samples

Sample reports and the reviewer list.

Administrators, monthly or termly

Hearing record

Public notice and minutes for the CIPA policy meeting.

Board clerk, when revised

Operator contracts

Data terms for filter, monitoring and learning apps.

Procurement, at renewal

E-Rate forms

Filed Form 486 or Form 479.

E-Rate lead, each funding year

For policy wording, see our CIPA internet safety policy guide.

Proving a working blocking system in Arkansas

The rows follow the evidence a board needs for 6-21-107 and for CIPA together.

What Arkansas asks to see	Home-built blocking	Hosted CIPA filter
A system that blocks harmful material	Lists written for the board	Category blocking, with Adult in the CIPA preset
Covering every public access computer	Settings on each machine or network	One DNS setting at each school, nothing installed on computers
Library and media center terminals	Often outside the school rules	Own settings for that branch in the same console
A record the board can show	Exports and screenshots	Activity reports, policy record and log export
Staff who need blocked pages	Edit the list and revert it	PIN bypass for 15, 30 or 60 minutes, logged, then it switches back
Students on laptops at home	Varies by device	Private encrypted link keeps the rules

Walk through the hosted filter for Arkansas Request an Arkansas quote

Questions

Arkansas school internet safety FAQ

Does Arkansas have its own school internet filtering law?

Yes. Ark. Code 6-21-107 requires each board's written computer policy to provide a system that blocks material harmful to minors on all public access computers. It applies with or without E-Rate.

Do students have to sign a computer use agreement?

Yes. A student signs an agreement on proper and improper use before using public access computers, and the policy includes penalties, stronger for repeat violations.

What is the Bell to Bell, No Cell Act?

Act 122 of 2025, from SB 142. Districts and open-enrollment charters adopt a written policy keeping personal devices out of use from first bell to last bell, with required exemptions.

Does Bell to Bell cover school Chromebooks?

It targets personal devices. School-issued learning technology stays under the 6-21-107 blocking system and the CIPA filter.

Is there a student data privacy law for edtech operators?

Yes. Ark. Code 6-18-109, the Student Online Personal Information Protection Act, limits operator use of covered student information, including a ban on targeted advertising.

Other states

Compare other state school internet laws

Missouri school internet safety laws Tennessee school internet safety laws Texas SCOPE Act school compliance Arizona school internet safety laws

All states are on the school internet safety laws by state hub.

Not legal advice. This page summarizes federal and Arkansas rules in our own words for general information. Statutes, acts and state guidance change, so check the current Arkansas Code and Division of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance, and confirm your obligations with district counsel.

Related guides

Pricing is set by the number of schools and devices, and a quote reaches you within one business day. A pilot at one Arkansas school shows the blocks and reports, so the board sees a working system before it commits.

Talk to us about your Arkansas district

We will show how our CIPA category coverage and the hosted CIPA filter pilot keep every public access computer covered under 6-21-107 and CIPA.

Talk to us about your district