Teens: Enter the writing contest for a chance to win prize money!

Youth Communication is sponsoring a writing contest for young people. For this month’s contest, we want to hear your perspective on cell phone bans.

Schools across the country are increasingly banning smartphones during the school day, over concerns that phones and social media distract students and negatively impact their mental health and well-being. Currently, both New York City and New York state are considering bans and many high schools in the city have already instituted their own.  Submit your response to one of the following questions:

• If you’ve experienced a ban at your school, tell us how you feel about it. What has it been like? Has your experience at school changed at all? 

• If your school has not banned phones, do you think they should? What if any rules around cell phones would make your experience at school better? 

Winning entries will be published on our website and winners will receive prizes of $150 (first place); $75 (second place); or $50 (third place).   

Contest Rules:

• You must be between the ages of 14 and 19.
• Entries should be no more than 300 words.
• If you win, your entry will be published on our website. Tell us if you want it to be printed anonymously—but you should still type in your full name and complete address so we know where to mail your check if you win.
• Current and former YCTeen or Represent writers may not enter the writing contest.
• Previous winners may not enter the writing contest.
• Entries may be edited by Youth Communication editors for brevity and clarity. All entries become property of Youth Communication.

If you heard about this contest from a teacher or counselor please add their name and email address to your entry.

The deadline has passed. We are reviewing submissions and will notify winners soon.

Read the winning letters from our fall contest here!

Any questions, contact [email protected].