I am a student who, like many others, relies heavily on my phone to get home, when mobile phones were banned this created a hazard for thousands of students trying to get to and from school and notifying their parents if or when something was happening.

Research shows that 95% of teenagers have access to a smartphone and 45% say they are online 'almost constantly'. This indicates that technology is an integral part of their lives (Pew Research Center). Banning phones not only hinders students' ability to learn but also fails to teach them about responsible use of technology.

We understand that there are concerns about distraction and misuse. However, we believe these issues can be addressed through clear guidelines and digital citizenship education rather than outright bans.

We urge the Queensland Department of Education to reconsider its policy on mobile phones in schools. Let's embrace technology as a tool for learning rather than viewing it as a threat.

As of recently I have had to resort to riding the bus to school, even if this may not seem hazardous, it meant that I wasn't able to attend my before school class, which is Surfing. I am in an excellence program in which we have before school sessions once a week that have the same rules as any other class. This would have been fine except I wasn't able to ride my bike there as my parents don't feel safe to let me because of the no phones ban. Many, many students may have similar problems and we need stop that.

Please sign this petition if you support lifting the ban on mobile phones in Queensland schools.