Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill that would allow schools to ban the use of phones. I disagree with it. This is an overstep of power because I value personal freedom above all else.
The bill says that schools will have to ban the use of cell phones by 2026.
Similar bills have been passed across the country.
There is a valid reason in the bill existing on the premises that students will be distracted by them. On the other hand, students only resort to going on their phones because they find the class boring, they’re not engaged enough, or they don’t know the consequences of it. To remedy this problem schools should at least teach students about the consequences of messing around on their phones in a brutally honest way so they at least know what the impact is.
Firstly, this new bill infringes on individuals’ rights. One’s right to merely possess a phone in school is being banned. Also, people have the right to purchase and possess personal property. Additionally, the schools could access the phone’s data, therefore violating the student’s right to privacy. The phones are also useful by allowing students to communicate with their parents in case of an emergency.
Secondly, while there is a point in doing it because people isolate themselves with their phones, I disagree. Speaking from personal experience, I use my phone during breaks because I just need a break from others.
Thirdly, the bill is too vague in nature. It says that schools must make a plan to ban phones within schools. That is vague because it never specified the means as to how. Also, the means could be turning in phones at the start of school, which would make the school responsible for the phones. That isn’t good because California’s schools aren’t funded enough to pay for repairs and/or replacements.
In conclusion, I believe that the banning of phones is unreasonable and an abhorrent abuse of authority. The ban violates student’s rights and puts them in possible danger.
