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Texting Outlawed

Texting while crossing the street is now illegal in Honolulu, Hawaii. DJEDZURA/GETTY IMAGES

Texting while driving is illegal in 47 states. But what about texting while walking? A law was recently passed in Honolulu, Hawaii. The law makes it illegal to text or look down at a device while crossing the street. It is the first major U.S. city with a law like this.

Some people are in favor of the law. They say it will keep people safe. Others are against it. They think people should be able to text freely. Should more places adopt adopt to begin to use (verb) We adopted a new family routine of turning off the television at dinner. such a law? This is what two TFK readers think.

COURTESY SALLY EUN BINE PARK

YES

Sally Eun Bine Park, 10

Paju, South Korea

What’s more important, texting or safety? Looking at your phone while walking is not safe. You might not see a car coming. We call people who look at their phones while walking “smartphone zombies.” This law will help keep people alive! And we will see fewer zombies on the street.

COURTESY ANDREW MADIGAN

NO

Andrew Madigan, 9

Portland, Oregon

As humans, we are in charge of ourselves. We can make our own decisions. I’m not saying it’s safe to text while crossing the street. But we don’t need the government to tell us what to do. After all, this is a free country. And police need a lot of time to catch real criminals.