We, the undersigned students, parents, and community members of Oregon, are calling on school districts and state education officials to reform current high school cell phone policies.

Right now, many Oregon schools enforce overly strict rules that limit students’ access to their phones during the entire school day. While we understand the importance of minimizing distractions, these blanket restrictions fail to recognize the role phones play in safety, communication, and modern education.

Phones are not just tools for social media—they are essential for:
• Emergency communication between students and families
• Accessing educational resources and completing assignments
• Mental health support, including crisis helplines and online therapy tools

We are asking the Oregon Department of Education and local school boards to:
1. Allow responsible phone use during breaks, lunch, and passing periods.
2. Provide teachers flexibility to integrate phones into learning when appropriate.
3. Create policies that balance academic focus with students’ safety and autonomy.

We believe students should be trusted and prepared for a digital world, not punished for living in it. By signing this petition, you’re supporting updated, common-sense phone policies that benefit students, teachers, and families alike.

To: Oregon Department of Education