Eastern High School, along with other public schools in New Jersey, has recently required students to download the digital surveillance app, Doorman, on their cellphones. The app prevents students from using any applications or websites during the school day deemed uneducational.

On the iOS App Store, where the app is rated 1.3 stars, several students and parents have pointed out concerns with the app, including battery draining, data collection, and bugs with the app. One parent under the username Carla_223 notes, "I was trying to call my daughter during the school time [...] yet after I tried calling multiple times due to an emergency, I was unable to reach her due to Doorman."

Another concerned parent named Hari M. writes, "The CEO came in to talk to us about the app. Apparently, they don't do third party security testing. This means they could be putting students' data in danger since there will be vulnerabilities in thier system."

Contrary to what some have said at the school, New Jersey state law does not actually require Doorman to be utilized by schools. New Jersey Senate Bill 3695, passed on January 8, 2026, "requires guidelines on student use of internet-enabled devices to be developed by DOE and policy to be adopted by governing body of each public school" (legiscan.com).

Clause 7 of the bill states: "Be it enacted to list options that may be utilized by a school district board of education for cell phone storage of an internet-enabled device, including locked pouches and cell phone lockers." This means that phone caddies or other moderate alternatives are a viable option for schools to use, and yet Eastern has chosen a more intrusive approach.

Doorman is a private, profit-driven company, and not a government service. Not only are schools choosing to implement this app, but they also have to pay for it. According to the Shakerite, some schools spend a flat annual rate of $12,500 of their funding per year to pay for the app. Other schools spend $5 per student (shakerite.com). This is funding that could be allocated towards academics, quality of life, or higher teacher pay, but is instead being spent on digital surveillance.

Doorman is a poorly chosen change to Eastern High School, bringing inconvenience, unnecessary surveillance, and budgeting concerns. Sign this petition if you agree that the Doorman policy will make Eastern a worse place for education.

Sincerely,

A Junior from Eastern High School

This text was made without any use of AI.

Elena Chow

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