I grew up a poor kid. There’s no way that I would’ve been able to have a cell phone growing up. Even though my friends at school — who were on the good side of the tracks had computers — we could not afford one. The library was my everything. Honestly, I think two things are to blame here: 1. A need to control anything that’s out there that might enlighten the public and keep the narrative MAGA focused; 2. keep the poor ignorant — that’s how they get their base — by convincing the poor that the other is to blame in a bait and switch covering up that it’s really the rich conservatives they should be focusing their ire on.
Book banning has little—if anything—to do with so-called “pornographic content.” It is far more about restricting critical thinking and controlling narratives.
Content regulation is already bounded by the First Amendment, and it is not the role of a few parents to censor material for everyone else’s children. If parents feel compelled, they are fully free—and responsible—to monitor what their own children read, without imposing those limits on others.
MAGA Nuts believe their church leaders and have lost their common sense. They think they are being good Christians. Their kids are smarter than them. The outcome will be rebellious kids!
Democracy depends on informed, engaged voters with a shared understanding of reality to survive. I am convinced that democracy is under attack because voters don't read. Our president doesn't read, unless you include Mein Kampf. You are spot on calling out the hypocrisy of book banning. Hopefully it will encourage kids to read the banned books!
Being a parent is difficult and scary. If you raise them with your principles, they will likely come around to them even if they’re exposed to or embrace things you are against. Book banning is yet another policy based on fear and control.
There is no video version for the functionally illiterate but you can practice your reading skills with the embedded illustration, if you are not up to reading the entire page.
I didn't summarize the law correctly, but here's the 1st sentence of the release using the word "prohibit" instead of "ban."
"Governor Gavin Newsom today signed Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone-Free School Act, to require every school district, charter school and county office of education to adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting the use of smartphones by July 1, 2026."
Being that sparky guy is finding irony in the author making a reference to cell phones and education, when the law re: cell phone use in public schools changed.
You don't know me. You don't know my views and yet you chose to be rude and attack me. It's obvious to me you feel strongly about the ultraconservatues trying to take over public education. I do too and I did my part to successfully recall two extremists on my school board.
I have a 10-year-old girl and I actually went and gave public comment because their ridiculous policy re: outing trans students could have affected my daughter based on her name.
I apologize for not fully explaining the law, which will restrict cell phone use in public schools during class hours - except in the event of an emergency or other specific circumstances. So I guess these fundamentalist parents will have a few less hours to worry about their kids surfing porn or bullying others on social media.
Great article. They don’t want their kids reading because that might lead to thinking. And if they start thinking, that might lead to kids calling out their parent’s hypocritical BS.
I'm iffy. My kid doesn't have a cell phone, but some of her peers have one. I'm glad there are exemptions for emergencies, etc, but if something happens and the devices are in a box, who will have time to pass them out AND find cover? I understand the intent, though
I think this post kinda misses the mark. Leaning into the “porn” angle lets book-banners hide behind a bad-faith strawman, when this isn’t really about porn. Most of the books being targeted are the ones that encourage critical thinking, question power, or reflect experiences some families may be uncomfortable acknowledging.
Reasonable people can disagree about what’s appropriate for their own children. That’s why parental choice matters. In a pluralistic society, the rule has always been simple: you control your home, not mine.
Schools and libraries serve diverse families, and opt-out options already exist for those who want them. It’s pretty straightforward. If you don’t want your kid reading a particular book, say no. Opt out. Talk to them. What doesn’t make sense is outsourcing parenting or removing access for other families under the guise of care.
The law requires districts to develop cell phone policies to LIMIT cell phone use. It does not “ban” or “prohibit.” I would strongly object to a universal prohibition of phones in schools. The fact that schools are to develop their own policies that fit the culture of their schools makes this law acceptable to me. It allows all parties to be involved - students, teachers and parents.
I am very picky (prickly?) about word usage because words are very powerful and communication is inherently full of pitfalls.
I work in communications for living. I worked as a newspaper reporter for 15 years before that. I strive to be accurate in my speech and words. If you noticed, I put quotes around the section quoting the release from the Governor's office because that's word-for-word what the 1st paragraph reads.
I grew up a poor kid. There’s no way that I would’ve been able to have a cell phone growing up. Even though my friends at school — who were on the good side of the tracks had computers — we could not afford one. The library was my everything. Honestly, I think two things are to blame here: 1. A need to control anything that’s out there that might enlighten the public and keep the narrative MAGA focused; 2. keep the poor ignorant — that’s how they get their base — by convincing the poor that the other is to blame in a bait and switch covering up that it’s really the rich conservatives they should be focusing their ire on.
Book banning has little—if anything—to do with so-called “pornographic content.” It is far more about restricting critical thinking and controlling narratives.
Content regulation is already bounded by the First Amendment, and it is not the role of a few parents to censor material for everyone else’s children. If parents feel compelled, they are fully free—and responsible—to monitor what their own children read, without imposing those limits on others.
MAGA Nuts believe their church leaders and have lost their common sense. They think they are being good Christians. Their kids are smarter than them. The outcome will be rebellious kids!
Democracy depends on informed, engaged voters with a shared understanding of reality to survive. I am convinced that democracy is under attack because voters don't read. Our president doesn't read, unless you include Mein Kampf. You are spot on calling out the hypocrisy of book banning. Hopefully it will encourage kids to read the banned books!
Being a parent is difficult and scary. If you raise them with your principles, they will likely come around to them even if they’re exposed to or embrace things you are against. Book banning is yet another policy based on fear and control.
Not trying to be That Snarky Guy ... But a new state law in CA just went into effect that banned cell phones in schools.
Happy New Year, Jeff
In fact, the law does NOT ban cell phones in schools. To get the facts, read about it here. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/23/governor-newsom-signs-legislation-to-limit-the-use-of-smartphones-during-school-hours/
There is no video version for the functionally illiterate but you can practice your reading skills with the embedded illustration, if you are not up to reading the entire page.
Yes, I am indeed trying to be “That SnarkyGuy.”
Happy New Year, Eugene
I didn't summarize the law correctly, but here's the 1st sentence of the release using the word "prohibit" instead of "ban."
"Governor Gavin Newsom today signed Assembly Bill 3216, the Phone-Free School Act, to require every school district, charter school and county office of education to adopt a policy limiting or prohibiting the use of smartphones by July 1, 2026."
Being that sparky guy is finding irony in the author making a reference to cell phones and education, when the law re: cell phone use in public schools changed.
You don't know me. You don't know my views and yet you chose to be rude and attack me. It's obvious to me you feel strongly about the ultraconservatues trying to take over public education. I do too and I did my part to successfully recall two extremists on my school board.
I have a 10-year-old girl and I actually went and gave public comment because their ridiculous policy re: outing trans students could have affected my daughter based on her name.
I apologize for not fully explaining the law, which will restrict cell phone use in public schools during class hours - except in the event of an emergency or other specific circumstances. So I guess these fundamentalist parents will have a few less hours to worry about their kids surfing porn or bullying others on social media.
I actually know the law and agree with it. My point is: cell phones are access to EVERYTHING. So these peeps scared of books are misguided
Great article. They don’t want their kids reading because that might lead to thinking. And if they start thinking, that might lead to kids calling out their parent’s hypocritical BS.
I'm iffy. My kid doesn't have a cell phone, but some of her peers have one. I'm glad there are exemptions for emergencies, etc, but if something happens and the devices are in a box, who will have time to pass them out AND find cover? I understand the intent, though
I think this post kinda misses the mark. Leaning into the “porn” angle lets book-banners hide behind a bad-faith strawman, when this isn’t really about porn. Most of the books being targeted are the ones that encourage critical thinking, question power, or reflect experiences some families may be uncomfortable acknowledging.
Reasonable people can disagree about what’s appropriate for their own children. That’s why parental choice matters. In a pluralistic society, the rule has always been simple: you control your home, not mine.
Schools and libraries serve diverse families, and opt-out options already exist for those who want them. It’s pretty straightforward. If you don’t want your kid reading a particular book, say no. Opt out. Talk to them. What doesn’t make sense is outsourcing parenting or removing access for other families under the guise of care.
The law requires districts to develop cell phone policies to LIMIT cell phone use. It does not “ban” or “prohibit.” I would strongly object to a universal prohibition of phones in schools. The fact that schools are to develop their own policies that fit the culture of their schools makes this law acceptable to me. It allows all parties to be involved - students, teachers and parents.
I am very picky (prickly?) about word usage because words are very powerful and communication is inherently full of pitfalls.
I work in communications for living. I worked as a newspaper reporter for 15 years before that. I strive to be accurate in my speech and words. If you noticed, I put quotes around the section quoting the release from the Governor's office because that's word-for-word what the 1st paragraph reads.
Exactly! Unfortunately, we’re still dealing with the books in Huntington Beach