As an NJ student, I am deeply concerned by the proposal made by Governor Phil Murphy to ban cell phones in New Jersey schools K-12. Cell phones serve as a great tool not only for communication but also for learning and research, and it's crucial that we maintain our rights to use them. In fact, according to a report by the Pew Research Center, 96% of Americans own a mobile device, representing a significant tool in modern society (Pew Research Center, 2019). Furthermore, a study by the London School of Economics found that schools which ban mobile phones see a drop in students' test scores, indicating that they can indeed play a productive role in the educational process. The Governor blames cyberbullying for these issues - yet when a student talks to an official about it, many times they let the bullies go off with a warning. I have been intentionally rammed into, cursed at, stepped on, and been made fun of for what I play and singing, and rarely do my bullies get in trouble. Instead of Blaming phones, they should tackle these issues. Prohibiting their use in schools fails to recognize their potential as an educational tool and unfairly restricts students' freedoms. This is not the government's property. This is our property. What if something happens during school (i.e. a club schedule getting changed and we need to go home), and we must call our parents? How will we get to our parents faster? A email from the school merely indicated by a red button or a direct message from us? Schools claim cell phones as distractions - But maybe the distraction is because of the lack of interactive classes? If they want to limit distraction, they can work on the way they teach. In total, we call upon Governor Murphy to reconsider this drastic measure and ensure the rights and tools needed for an optimal education are protected.