I’m a high school sophomore in Massachusetts, and I just found out our state is trying to pass a law that will ban all student phone use during the school day starting in 2026.

They say it’s “to help us focus and improve mental health,” but honestly? It’s just going to make school more stressful, more unsafe, and more disconnected from our families.

Phones aren’t just for scrolling TikTok — they’re how we stay safe.

• If there’s a lockdown, shooting, or emergency, I want to be able to text my parents and let them know where I am.

• If I’m having a panic attack or dealing with something personal, I can message a friend or family member for comfort.

• If there’s something going on at home or with my health, my phone is the fastest way to reach the people I trust.

Locking our phones in pouches or taking them away isn’t just “annoying.” It’s dangerous. In real emergencies, every second matters. Schools say they have “communication plans,” but nothing is faster than me texting my family myself.

And let’s be real- this doesn’t make schools safer or fix bullying or distractions. It just punishes everyone because some kids misuse their phones. It’s like banning pencils because a few people doodle in class.

We already go through enough stress in school. Taking away the one thing that connects us to our families and gives us a sense of safety is cruel. And it’s still our property. They can make rules for class, but they shouldn’t be allowed to lock up something we own all day long.

If lawmakers actually cared about student safety and mental health, they’d put money into mental health support, better security, smaller classes, and anti-bullying programs- not into taking away our phones.

Tell the Massachusetts House and Governor Healey:

Vote NO on the student phone ban.

Keep us safe. Keep us connected. Listen to the people actually in school.