The school board has banned social media, and with that they have banned the messenger app. I rely on platforms like Messenger to communicate with my parents without having a sim card, as we cannot afford consistent phone plans with the current economy. Preventing me from using them not only hinders everyday communication but compromises my safety during emergencies. 

This petition is a call to the HWDSB to reassess their blanket ban on social media in the school. Instead of a complete ban, ban only social media’s that provide no true communicative purpose.

Further, consider the statistic from MediaSmarts, Canada's Centre for Digital and Media Literacy, revealing that approximately 24% of students in grades 4 to 6 own a cellphone, but a significant portion of these students do not have a sim card, relying instead on social media platforms for communication.

The HWDSB must remember that strict rules do not always yield intended results, but open conversations and negotiations do. We urge the board to empathise with the students and their well-being. Please sign this petition to help young students like myself, whose safety and communication are jeopardised by this ban.