I am one of the millions of students affected by Ohio House Bill 250, which my classmates and I believe is totalitarian by nature. This bill imposes strict regulations and restrictions that significantly impact our education and student life. Our voices are being stifled, and our ability to cultivate a diverse and critical-thinking-friendly environment is under threat.

Key points:

Undemocratic Policy: This law imposes a strict cell phone ban on students—the only group directly impacted—without giving students any say or representation in the decision. Students can’t vote, but their daily freedoms are being curtailed by lawmakers who haven’t consulted or included them.

 

Against Representative Democracy: Representative democracy relies on those affected by laws having a voice through elected officials. Here, students’ voices are completely missing from the conversation, making the law fundamentally unjust.

 

The “Age of Consent” Emotional Appeal Isn’t Enough: While some argue students are too young to make responsible choices about phones, this isn’t about child safety alone. It’s about trust and autonomy. Schools can and should enforce rules about phone use responsibly—there’s no need for a blanket government ban.

 

No Big Brother in Our Schools: The state stepping in to micromanage students’ phone use is a dangerous overreach, setting a precedent for intrusive control over personal freedoms. Schools should have the tools to handle phones as they see fit, but the government should NOT mandate a one-size-fits-all ban.

 

Disgusting Timing: While countries like the UK pass laws like the Online Safety Act (OSA), and the US eyes similar legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), there’s a global push toward digital surveillance under the guise of ‘safety.’ This bill fits right into that trend—just another layer of control over young people.

 

Classist Impact: Tech-savvy students will find ways around bans and surveillance, but students from poorer or under-resourced backgrounds won’t have those tools. This law disproportionately harms vulnerable communities, deepening inequality instead of solving problems.

 

Surveillance Isn’t Safety: The rush to monitor and control phone use assumes mistrust of students rather than respect. Instead of empowering students, these measures punish all because of a few, contributing to a culture of control and compliance.

 

We Demand: The Ohio Senate revert House Bill 250, restore students’ rights, and involve students in decisions that affect their daily lives. Courts have consistently ruled that students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate (Tinker v. Des Moines). HB 250 pushes against that boundary. 

Sign This Petition if You Believe:
- Students deserve a voice in laws that affect them.
- Government overreach into schools must be stopped.
- Surveillance and censorship have no place in education.
- We must protect democracy—starting in our classrooms.