Since March 1 of this year, Google services like YouTube, Google Earth, Google Translate and Google Maps are no longer accessible for students with school issued devices. This ban is taking place since Google is now mandating that parental permission is granted yearly for students to have access to these services. This is because the company needs confirmation before they are allowed to sell and collect the student data given from said services.
However, although the federal law allows for this process, the Idaho State Board of Education does not.
“The inequity in collecting parental consent would violate Idaho policy,” said principal Susan Mcinerney. “Thus, we will not be allowed to gather appropriate consent.”
It is important to note that this ban will only affect students. Teachers will still be able to use YouTube in a classroom setting.
“This was something that was out of the hands of West Ada, so there is not much that can be done about it,” said vice principal Kimber Chez.
The intent of restricting these services is to ensure that policies from the Idaho State Board of Education stay in order, while also making sure that administrators and teachers can use them for educational purposes.
Although some students feel upset about these services being taken away, others don’t mind it.
“It doesn’t really affect me since I try my best to pay attention during school,” said junior Noelle Woolner. “I view it as a distraction, so I eliminate it unless it’s for class.”
