Despite this, many schools reduced focus on cursive after adopting digital learning and standards that no longer required it. Some experts worry this shift contributes to functional illiteracy, with surveys showing many adults struggle to read handwritten notes — even their own. Concerns like these have led several U.S. states to reintroduce cursive into school curricula.

The viral classroom incident highlighted the divide in opinions. When seven-year-old Alyssa wrote her name in cursive, her teacher warned her to stop. The story sparked debate online, with some defending the child’s effort to learn traditional writing and others arguing students should follow classroom instructions.Today, the discussion continues: Should cursive remain part of modern education, or is digital writing enough for future generations?