Hi, it's Sarai again. So something interesting is happening at schools around the Pocket. A lot of them are saying kids can't use cell phones during the day. At first, I thought that was unfair, but now I get why they're doing it. When kids don't have phones, we pay more attention in class and talk to each other more.

My sister Alani's friend goes to a school that started this rule, and she says it's been great. She talks to her friends at recess instead of looking at her phone. She also does better in math because she's not distracted. Our teacher says when kids don't have phones, they learn more and feel happier too.

“When kids don't have phones, they learn more and feel happier too.”
— Sarai's teacher

I don't have a cell phone yet, but I have a tablet for schoolwork. My father says the rule is about helping kids focus on learning instead of scrolling all the time. Sometimes I get on my tablet too much, so I think the rule makes sense. When I put my tablet down and read a book or play outside, I feel better too.

Schools in Sacramento County, including some in the Pocket, are trying this phone rule, and lots of kids are saying it's good. Maybe one day when I get my own phone, I'll use it less during the day too. Learning is more important than checking what's happening online, and I'm happy to see schools helping kids remember that.

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Sarai Moten is a staff reporter at The Kid Reporter based in Sacramento, CA. To read more of her work, visit the newsroom →