By: Alexander Zhang

As a middle school student living in California, I have personally seen the dangers of cyberbullying and technology during class. Often, my peers forget what they are at school for, and instead of learning knowledge, they play video games and be disruptive to those who want to learn.

The New York Times article expresses what lawmakers are currently doing, such as passing new laws to limit phone use during class time. I was especially motivated by Mr. Newson’s words, “When children and teens are in school, they should be focused on their studies, not their screens.” Mr. Newson has done much to ensure the safety of kids online in California.

I feel that banning smartphone usage during school hours, like what the other states, Florida and Indiana, have done is necessary, because it really encourages students to focus more on learning, rather than being distracted from phones and new technology. Although parents may argue for safety issues, students are safe during class time, and therefore won’t need their phones.

Should the world listen to Dr. Vivek Murthy’s warning about the mental health crisis among adolescents, and follow the examples of lawmakers like Mr. Newsom, students will have the opportunity to truly excel in their academic career, free of smartphone distractions.