By: Caden Dillon & Tyler Shaw
Is blocking all sites on chromebooks hurting students’ ability to learn? The popular opinion around campus is that it is hindering educational growth. The main application that is used to block inappropriate or non educational sites on our computers and to keep kids on task of learning is called Securly. The first Securely app was created in 2012 by company “Securly, Inc” then first used in schools in 2013. Southeast originally started using Securely in 2021. This site has negatively affected students’ learning because it leads to blocking access to educational resources, and it has many problems with cybersecurity.
There are a multitude of reasons why Securely is not efficient in helping students learn. One of the main reasons is censorship. Overly strict filtering essentially turns into censorship, shutting students out from whole areas of knowledge. When filters block content that teachers and students genuinely need, it becomes frustrating for everyone. A common complaint by teachers is when lesson planning is hindered or interrupted due to blocked material. We asked Southeast vice principal Mason Harsh about this problem, “Sometimes we’re able to block something specific, but oftentimes we need to block the entire site.” The tech team and administration are doing their best to block all distractions to students while keeping educational resources accessible.
Between privacy issues and constant inconvenience, Securly creates more problems than it solves. Students have virtually no privacy on school devices because someone is always watching their screens and tracking every move. When it comes to students trying to get around the system, Harsh admits that “if there’s a will, there’s a way.” He knows they can’t completely stop kids from gaming on Chromebooks unless they block nearly everything. As he puts it, “Technology is always moving faster than we are…” Instead of blocking everything, students need to be taught how to utilize new technology appropriately. Ultimately, Securly eats up valuable time for both students and teachers, since students spend more energy trying to outsmart the filters than simply finishing their work and relaxing afterward.
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