Web Filters and Administration Access Too Restrictive?

Web Filters and Administration Access Too Restrictive?

Being a movie maker, there are several programs that I want on my computer that relate to those things. So as I’m downloading them a box pops up that says, “You need administration access to install this file.”

The programs that I want to install were not asked to install by a teacher, but they definitely can have use for school and getting work done. Students struggle every day trying to have access to photos, videos, or websites that can pertain to school, but they are unable to get through due to restricted access.

So why the restricted access? I can understand that you don’t want students to do things they shouldn’t during inappropriate times, but this is high school. Kids are responsible to know whether or not they can play games or download certain material.If they’re doing things they shouldn’t, it needs to be up to the teacher in the class to decide whether or not it’s appropriate for that time.

With me being a senior this year, I’ve watched the school go from lots of freedom to limited access to things that should be perfectly fine for students to have. Half of the time people tell us students that we’re just kids and we don’t know anything, but the other half of the time they expect us to know exactly what we should do with our lives because we’re adults.

Having access to certain things mean that students should have the ability to acquire information needed for school, even if the teacher doesn’t tell you to install a certain program. They still can pertain to the class.

If anything, upperclassmen should be able to have some more access to things because by then most of them have jobs and are being trained to be responsible people. The whole sink or swim idea is not a smart thing to do because it punishes students who are perfectly responsible.

I believe students should have access to install programs and research websites, photos, and videos that may pertain to a class. It’s the kid’s choice as to whether or not they will be responsible with the privileges they have and if they aren’t, it’s the teacher’s job to confiscate those privileges.

15rarthur@usd489.com