Schools need to restrict certain websites and topics, but they should be cautious not to overblock essential websites. The internet has many inappropriate sites that students can easily access without restrictions, leading to the conclusion that certain websites should get blocked. However, websites get overblocked, which causes students to not have access to valuable websites with helpful information.
Blocked sites cause major inconvenience, but they are, unfortunately, necessary. The internet harbors dangerous people and dangerous websites. An act enacted by Congress in 2000, called the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), requires schools to restrict student access to inappropriate or harmful websites. This means that administrators and district employees have little to no choice about blocking those websites. Many schools also block online gaming websites, such as Cool Math Games, as well as other content, such as social media, to keep students focused on their school work. Websites that tend to have inaccurate information or rumored inaccuracies, such as Wikipedia, receive the same treatment.
Administrators and district employees use software to block potentially offensive content. Some people block specific websites, while others block keywords, such as alcohol. Unfortunately, schools take the restrictions to the extreme and end up blocking websites that have educational or practical purposes. This leads to scenarios in which students can not search something reasonable, due to the fact that the search contained a blocked word, such as alcohol or game. This causes issues for teachers, as the websites they used to teach with have been blocked.
All Internet restrictions stay in place even after school hours end. This leaves the students, specifically students without other ways to access the Internet, without the ability to access “fun” websites. It prevents those students from potentially getting the opportunities that other peers may have to have some fun or free time, especially since school hours have ended.
Schools need to have caution when restricting sites. Certain restrictions are a necessity, but too many restrictions can cause unnecessary inconveniences that administrators and district employees could avoid if they take more care in what they block.
