The students of Rogers Middle School in Long Beach, California, were recently informed that from now forward, Zoom cameras were to be required in every PE class while the student is exercising. Many of the students consider this to be a violation of personal privacy and rights. 

We were told today that our cameras had to be on in order to get participation credit, which affects our grades, but there are many other options for participation credit to be handed out. We could instead use the participations feature, or use the chat to show that we are present in the class. Cameras shouldn't have to be turned on, as there are other options to show participation.

Furthermore, many students don't feel comfortable showing their personal space or home on a Zoom call. Zoom backgrounds have been recommended to us, but they are not an option for those using Chromebooks to Zoom call. Therefore, not all students can access the Zoom backgrounds feature, so not all students can hide their personal space.

In addition, many students don't have Zoom cameras at all. Those students won't be able to gain credit for participation, and that will affect their grades. Many of us were told by our PE teacher that if we didn't have a camera for Zoom, we had to fix that as soon as possible, and that's very difficult for many students to do. Some students don't even have the room to exercise in an area in front of their cameras if they are in a shared space while learning. This makes exercising in front of a Zoom camera very difficult. 

Moreover, exercising in front of a camera is a huge source of social anxiety for students our age. It makes many people uncomfortable to know that the people on the other side of that screen are watching them. It's more stressful than it is helpful, and that stress can be harmful to the students. It already makes many people uncomfortable to just speak over a Zoom call, so exercising in front of a camera is a whole different issue. 

Teachers should be able to encourage their students to turn on their cameras, not force them to. An option should be given. In conclusion, exercising over a zoom call is a violation against personal privacy, and the rule being enforced that forces us to do so should be revoked.