Around the world, high school is hailed as a time of independence and personal growth. Breaking away from the messiness and immaturity of middle school, high schoolers challenge themselves with AP classes and dive into extracurriculars. For many, it is a time to take control of their education – and their future.

With so many demanding activities, high school students don’t have time to waste. Unfortunately, online restrictions can make meeting these expectations difficult. GoGuardian and Cisco Umbrella frequently block student access to critical websites, making it challenging for students to learn thoroughly. Popular websites like Youtube have been blocked, and certain features, like screenshotting, have been restricted. Even though the district has the best intentions, these restrictions feel childish and more appropriate for elementary or middle school students. 

Especially when high school students are expected to act like adults, developing time-management skills and responsibility, the district’s ceaseless management and control feels hypocritical. If high schoolers are treated like adults when it comes to essay deadlines, then why are they monitored (both in and out of school) and blocked from things like googling “snake.” At this age, how students choose to spend their time is their choice. If it hurts their education, they will face the consequences. But strict policing of online activity is not the solution.

The online bans also highlight wealth differences in the student body. Those who have the financial means will purchase a personal device, like a Macbook or iPad. Those who cannot, or whose families don’t want to, are stuck using Chromebooks. For them, sites load slower and some are even  inaccessible, resulting in less efficiency and decreased productivity.

Some students have gone as far as downloading a VPN to avoid WiFi restrictions. Using personal devices, HotSpots, and VPNS shows that the district’s attempts aren’t effective – only an annoyance. The only people they actually harm are those who don’t have other resources to turn to, ultimately creating more harm and division in the student population.

Overall, the online restrictions LOHS students face are ineffective and demeaning. Students should not have to deal with GoGuardian in the face of so many other time-consuming responsibilities, and the district should focus their time and resources elsewhere.