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Please sign this petition to help us advocate for a more reasonable and effective cell phone policy in Virginia schools! 🫵 We aren’t saying no to restricting phones, we say no to the full on ban of them. 

If you believe the policy should be altered or annulled, sign this petition. If you’re not convinced, continue reading. 👇 

I am a Highschool student in Northern Virginia, and I feel compelled to voice my concerns regarding this new phone ban across all schools in the Commonwealth. I’m calling for this policy to be altered again or repealed entirely. Below are the 3 main reasons why this ban compromises the success of students and schools.

 #1 It’s Ineffective 

This extreme restriction merely causes more harm than good. Frankly, it will not be enforced properly, especially as the school years end. This trend was extremely evident this past year across schools. A rule that is very strict yet poorly enforced is a mere suggestion,  much like jaywalking. Ultimately, this ban will be as ineffective as Prohibition, school bathrooms will inevitably become the “speakeasies” where students go to bypass the rules. Consequently, this will force schools to restrict restroom use even further, punishing those who use restrooms properly.

#2 Harmful Effects on Students

The main rationale for this policy was the desire to reduce cyber bullying and in-class distractions. However, making students feel like they’re violating the law simply by pulling out their phones to check the time is preposterous. I’ll share a brief anecdote: I recall hanging out with my friend after school and cautiously looking both ways, checking for admin or teachers before pulling my phone out to pay at Target. This rule has a negative impact on the student psyche and makes us feel like convicts, plain and simple. 🤷‍♀️ 

#3 Phones Can Be a Learning Aid

While in-class phone distraction is a valid issue to address , phones can also be a powerful learning tool when used correctly. For example, students in leadership classes heavily rely on phones to film and edit videos to post for school social media accounts. These videos help promote and inform students and parents about sporting events, theater productions, pep rallies, spirit weeks, and more. 

My proposal 

First, allow phones to be used during lunch periods, there is no reason why our breaks should be infringed upon. Secondly, this should not be a state-mandated rule. Instead, it should be handled on a school or classroom-to-classroom level, where teachers decide what can be used during their instructional periods. If a student doesn’t comply with the teachers request, then security can be called. Furthermore, the implementation of classroom phone caddies has already proven to be effective and inexpensive.

I urge the Virginia House of Assembly and the Governor to consider revising this policy thoughtfully and with good faith. We aren’t saying no to restricting phones, we say no to the full on ban of them. 

Please sign this petition to help us advocate for a more reasonable and effective cell phone policy in Virginia schools! 🫵