School teaches kids that student voices matter and to speak up for what is right.  That being said, no students voices have been considered in this matter — so we will speak up. Banning phones in schools is NOT OK.  To preface, phones can be and are distracting in schools, and everywhere — for adults and students alike. However, there are far more cons than pros to this method of full restriction. Each of these will be addressed in this petition. 

One major concern is safety. The common pushback for this is that staff can contact authorities in an emergency. This is partly untrue, due to the fact some emergencies will not be known school-wide. If there is an immediate emergency with no phone available, what are students going to do? Disabling students from contacting authorities and helplines should NOT be tolerated — especially in schools, that claim to be a safe space.  Additionally, in school-wide emergencies — specifically shootings — students may not have to contact authorities since school staff will, but students will want to contact their families/friends to tell them they love them and goodbye, as they may be facing death. The retaliation to this is that it will just freak out families and spread false information. Yet, that would be much preferred to holding back a student from saying goodbye to their loved ones especially if they do wind up dead — which a hard undeniable truth. What will school’s do when a students final farewell in life does not exist — and they’re to blame? A second concern is mental/physical health, which is typically not considered before these bans are applied.  According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, 20.3% of adolescents ages 12-17 are diagnosed with mental and/or behavioral disorders. Looking at reasons in favor of the phone bans, many mention that phones negatively contribute to mental health. While this can be true, it is often ignored that taking away complete and PRIVATE contact to people who are safe spaces for adolescents with mental health issues WILL make their struggles worse. Phones are also used to communicate and keep up with certain student’s physical health, as they use their phone for certain conditions they may have or just simple reminders. If they don’t have their phone, they cannot monitor their health. Now that 2 major concerns are addressed (despite there being many more) the accuracy and effectiveness of the ban needs to be discussed. First and foremost, phones can be dealt with in schools in many different ways that don’t completely violate students. One example is phones can be placed in containers during class and given back after — also ensuring complete access when a student may need it. Telling students that their phone will be confiscated if they are abusing its use is yet another example of fair rules. Students need to be held accountable for their misusage too, when they often are not. If more accountability and consistency in consequences takes place, more students will respect rules and regulations. Besides, students who are on their phones at inappropriate times will face natural consequences such as bad grades, missing work, and lack of understanding. Speaking of accountability, banning phones takes away the freedom of students who do not have any reason to be restricted from their phone. Furthermore, school is supposed to prepare teenagers for adulthood. How will kids ever learn to time manage and control themselves if they aren’t given the chance to? Finally, if this ban is enforced, it will not stop students from not listening. They will find something else to do. The ban will just end up encouraging students to break the rules and rebel because of its unfair nature.  Now, you can’t be forced to sign this petition or even agree, but you can be asked to stand up  for students and not silence them. Nonetheless, you will be assured that we will not go down without a fight. Thank you.