As a devoted student, I heavily rely on YouTube as an essential learning tool. From school assignments to preparations for the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) performances, YouTube provides resources that help me excel at school. However, recently, my school has begun restricting access to YouTube, consequently stifacing my educational journey. Not everyone has a luxury of having a phone or computer at home - I am one of them. That leaves us with our school computers as the only tool to do our academic work and personal pursuits, like learning songs for a NYSSMA performance.

This restriction doesn't affect me alone - millions of students across the country are impacted. According to Pew Research Center, nearly 70% of teachers utilize YouTube to supplement their lessons (Bialik & Matz, 2017, Pew Research Center), indicating that this restriction affects both teaching and learning processes. If our aim is to foster a wealth of knowledge and inspire creative, critical thinking, reestablishing unrestricted access to Youtube in schools is a must. We need to make YouTube accessible for all in school, hindering it puts our cognitive growth and prospects on hold.

It's high time we addressed this issue and amended our school policies to prioritize students' learning experiences and educational outcomes. We urge the decision-makers in our schools and education department to reconsider the restrictions placed on YouTube. Your cooperation can make a massive difference in the lives of countless students like me. Please sign this petition to support our cause and empower learners everywhere.