Are the Web Filters at Your School Too Restrictive?

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Questions about issues in the news for students 13 and older.

Updated, Oct. 13, 2016 | We republished this same question on the redesigned Learning Network. Join the student conversation there.

We ask this question in honor of Banned Books Week. This year the American Library Association is promoting Banned Websites Awareness Day on Sept. 28. to “raise awareness of the overly restrictive blocking of legitimate, educational Web sites and academically useful social networking tools in schools and school libraries.”

What Web sites, blogs and social networks are blocked in your school? How has this affected teaching and learning for you?

In a statement about Banned Websites Awareness Day, the American Association of School Librarians, a division of the American Library Association, includes the following background:

Usually the public thinks of censorship in relation to books, however there is a growing censorship issue in schools and school libraries – overly restrictive filtering of educational websites reaching far beyond the requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Students, teachers, and school librarians in many schools are frustrated daily when they discover legitimate educational websites blocked by filtering software installed by their school.

Filtering websites does the next generation of digital citizens a disservice. Students must develop skills to evaluate information from all types of sources in multiple formats, including the Internet. Relying solely on filters does not teach young citizens how to be savvy searchers or how to evaluate the accuracy of information.

Over extensive filtering also extends to the use of online social networking sites such as FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube, Blogger, etc. In order to make school more relevant to students and enhance their learning experiences, educators need to be able to incorporate those same social interactions that are successful outside of school into authentic assignments in the school setting. Unfortunately, filters implemented by school districts also block many of the social networking sites.

To raise awareness of the overly restrictive blocking of legitimate, educational websites and academically useful social networking tools in schools and school libraries, AASL has designated one day during Banned Books Week as Banned Websites Awareness Day. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, AASL is asking school librarians and other educators to promote an awareness of how overly restrictive filtering affects student learning.

Students: Tell us what Internet sites are blocked in your school and why, and describe how that has affected teaching and learning. Do you agree with the A.L.A. that filtering websites “does the next generation of digital citizens a disservice” and that social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube can have legitimate educational purposes and value? If so, what would you say to your principal or school board if asked to argue for making your school’s filters less restrictive?


Teachers: In a related post we list Ways to Celebrate Banned Books Week.

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Filtering must be definitely done in school. Why do kids require to access sites like Twitter, facebook, G+ etc. in School ? are they there for learning or social interaction ?
and if its being banned for adults in their offices then imagine what havoc it can do to children !!!


i believe that filtering is manditory in any school that uses laptops, or multiple computers that students can use. Being a student I have run into filters many times while searching for information in class while very few times do i see classmates have hard times getting on a vast variety of websites that are supposedly filtered and blocked. Why isn’t there more thought from the school tech department about what is filtered and what isn’t instead of letting a computer program think on it’s own. I believe i saw this once, it’s name was SKYNET AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

The websites we have blocked in our school are wiki-answers and yahoo. Our school has tried to block websites like Facebook but the students kept finding ways around them.

Our School doesn’t have Facebook or Twitter blocked because the students were able to find a way around it. The school doesn’t block Facebook or Twitter any more because of that.

Filtering in my high school is restrictive, but fair. Major social networks and game sites are filtered and restricted from access. That’s the way it should be. School is a house for learning; the internet ought to be used for that purpose alone. While some would argue that social networks are useful for learning, I would argue that social networks are overwhelmingly distracting and in fact take away from learning. Therefore, I don’t believe that those sites should be permitted during the school day.

Out of school hours presents a difficult situation for the IT people. It would be really nice if students could access social networks after school using the school’s internet. The problem is that administrators fear that students would cyber-bully and commit other malicious acts over these sites; doing this in school makes it something of a school issue. Adults are rightfully concerned by this danger.

On the other hand, social networks are very useful for communication and scheduling. Several clubs that I am a part of are centered on a social network page or group. Accessibility to these functions would be hugely beneficial to me during after school hours.

Overall, the internet accessibility issue requires compromise from both sides of the internet. The users must forfeit some privileges, and the administrators must giver certain freedom with a degree of trust to students. While restrictions from gaming and social networking are annoying at times, they are ultimately done in my best interest. I believe that school is a place for learning above all else, so I can accept internet regulations and restrictions and appreciate their value.

My high school has laptops, they are given out by the school. At times it seems like they block everything, but with some reason. Sometimes sites like Facebook, have no real academic purpose, and serve only to distract the students, and block up the bandwidth of the network so that it can’t be used for any useful purposes. On the other side of the argument, sites such as Youtube, and other video streaming sites have definite value to learning, and should not be blocked. I personally think the blocking goes to far, but responsibility on both ends is important for a useful network, the administrators need to be less up tight, while the students need to be responsible on the schools internet.

well i think they are not cause if people dont pay attention in class and do things that they are not supposed to do.

Filtering has gotten ridiculous at our school in the last year.

Obviously facebook and online games are blocked, but some magazines are blocked, and most mind blowing of all google images was blocked. Our teacher was trying to find a picture of William Jennings Bryan, but google images blocked it.

I don’t like the idea of having the internet censored in general, but if it gets in the way of teachers teaching or students doing work then it has to be changed

Wicki answers and yahoo are block and I think that it effects us because thats the first thing that pops up for most peoples google search and I think that it is a good an bad thing because if you are looking for some information on these pages you can look for places to go to look for your answers but if our principal is going to block it I think that they should have it to where it will not come up for us to see because even knowing they blocked it still shows some of the things it says on the web page. I like that they block them because I would rather have to look a while for my answer and get it right rather than just click into one of these sight and get my answers wrong.

Wiki answers and Yahoo should not be blocked because people use those websites to help with information but Facebook isn’t blocked when all people do is get on it in study halls. Even if the schools tried to block Facebook and Twitter someone would find a way to get into it and then it would get spread around the school.

At my school, we currently have facebook, twitter, skype, and youtube unblocked. Honestly, I think that it is alright for students to get on those sites when they are in study hall with no homework. Youtube is a very good site if you are needing to watch a video in class. It’s very resourceful. I have come to find their are a lot of things blocked, that I personally don’t feel need to be. I will be searching something for a class, that is appropriate, and I will come along to find a sight that is blocked. Sometimes it is ridiculous.

What I don’t understand is we get in trouble for being on facebook or those sites in study hall when we aren’t doing anything but we can’t use wiki to look up something in class? Facebook is just another website there is nothing bad about it. We just dont block it so we can catch people for being on it. Whats the point of blocking things if we still get our work done? If we stay caught up in school let us be on what we want to be on.

The web filters are too restrictive. Sometimes teachers want to show their students videos from Youtube, but they can’t. However, Facebook and other social networks shouldn’t be because they can distract students from actually learning.

I think the web restrictions at our school are too strict.
when teachers want to show students information, videos or pictures on certain sites, it’s usually blocked. Sometimes i think it’s okay because Facebook is blocked because it distracts students from doing their work.

Yes! I totally think web filters at our school are too resrtrictive! I’m not saying that we should be aloud to go on FaceBook and Twitter, but I think we are old enough and mature enough to be aloud on a few more websites. Sometimes it gets to the point where I can’t look up a topic because all of them are blocked. I do think that the High Schools should have more freedom but maybe not Elementry Schools.

the web restrictions in my school are too strict. theres like 1 site we can use for games which people most likely use. besides that the school restricted youtube which i agree is a great source of procrastination. youtube also gives enjoyment to the whole group but it is sadly blocked. even educational vides are restricted off youtube. kids usually go on the internet for games thougj. almost all web sites have blocked game websites except temple of lol. some of the google searches are how to play games unrestricted and searches similar to that. i completely agee that the school should block facebook. facebook is the greatest procrastination source ever and creates more gossip around school. i agree on banning facebook.

There are certain websites that shouldn’t be allowed through the school filters. I’m in agreement with social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites should be prohibited. Those sites do not contain any educational characteristics and therefore, the schools are right to block them. However, a site such as Youtube can provide teachers with educational benefits. Youtube can link teachers and educators to documentaries, interviews, and other videos which could provide them with educational benefits. If educators are hesitant to allow schools to permit Youtube, then they should only allow teachers to access the website. Therefore, the right people will then have access to the website and it won’t be taken advantage of. If it’s for educational usage, then schools should let teachers have access to these websites. Youtube can be resourceful, where as websites like Facebook and Twitter are not resourceful. Blocking does go a little too far with somethings, but then again administrators should give teachers some responsibility as well. Students should be responsible with their internet access, just like teachers should be as well.

In my opionion i think that schools should keep most sites on the internet unblocked. Depending on what the student or teacher need to search or see on the internet there can be an important site that needs to be used that may be blocked. Schools should trust that students and teachers will go on the appropiate sites, and if they do not obey the rules they can block a site or make consequences for the person who didnt obey the rules. There will always be students trying to find a way around blocks on sites which cant be stopped.

Yes i think that the school restricts the internet too much. For example if we need to use youtube for a class project we cant even go on it. Also, websites on google that are educationed sometimes are even blocked. I know many teachers who even get frustrated when their students can’t go on certain websites. It restricts us from researching further and exploring. I think school need to stop restricting websites, if students choose to go on facebook and not do what theyre suppose to, thats on them and they’ll face the consiquences by failing.

I do think that the web filters are too strict to a certain extent. Of course there are those sites that are necessary to filter, but the case at my school is that there are sites that are blocked, when they should be accessable.

When a teacher gives us an assignment to research something for a presentation or essay etc, many times the websites that would give us the most information and would be most helpful end up being blocked.

I understand sites which have access to social networks, or something of the source, would be blocked for communication reasons. However the sites that are informative are usually blocked because of a certain advertisement or image that has no potential reason to be blocked.

I think the restrictions are too strict. When I’m researching info I go to this one site which contains lots of info…but sadly the restrictions won’t let me. I think that those whom haven’t really strayed from the rules should be allowed to websites like the one I wasn’t able to use but there should always be someone watching just to make sure. There are sites that can help people learn how to type faster and better while making it fun. I can’t remember the site but it was always a reward from our teacher when we did a good job. The site would also even teach some schoolwork like history or english. I tried that site and it also was not allowed. School is hard and I should know, since I’m a student. School and learning should be fun as well as educational, active, and interesting. You can’t force a child to be interested or remember what you’ve said but you can sure inspire them to do better. I think schools should do what my parents do even though I’m a very child, (You can ask them yourselves.) use a rating fliter. A rating fliter let’s the administrater select whether or not its ok. Let’s say he choose T rating…T rating and everything below that rating will be visible. Anything higher and it won’t let you. You can even choose which certain sites are unacceptable to you regardless of rating. If that isn’t enough to convinence you then once the administrater logs on a little bubble pops up and asks them if they wish to see what you’ve been doing online. It’s kinda like the history button except this can’t be erased by the student or by anyone else except the administrater. It can be frustrating to the kids when they are looking up info and it won’t let them…but you can give them ok or not but simply putting in a password!

I personally hate the fact that my school restricts certain cites. Sites such as yahoo answers and wiki answers to help find cites for me to use for other papers and the fact that I cannot perform my college class correctly is bothering me intensely because the school will not allow me to research this subject because it does relate to some violent and possibly sexual references. I understand why censoring is important but the people who head this let almost all social networks open (facebook, twitter, myspace, and google’s newest social networking site). If they do block websites with adult images and language I am fine with that but when it begins to stop the ability for children to work it then becomes just idiotic.

Our school has also blocked sites such as Yahoo and Wiki Answers. They did this due to the fact that people can pretty much just post whatever they want. I think that this is a pretty cool feature because say we do a project over Greek Mythology, if we were to use one of those sites then our information could be wrong and then we would have done all the work for nothing. I appreciate that our school has blocked such sites because then I don’t have to worry about this happening to me.

With a lot of the bans they have on websites it’s hard to do research on some of our projects. Some websites that they have blocked us students could probably use these for their studies but do not get to anymore. The websites shouldn’t be blocked, well most of them. With wiki answers I understand why they are blocked because the answers they give you could be wrong, and yahoo answers could have wrong answers. I’m glad that they do not have facebook and other networking sites blocked.They could be used as school activity in a class room.

Our school has blocked all of the answer websites like wiki, chacha, and and yahoo answers. They say they blocked them because they are not reliable sources, but I would have to disagree. I feel as which we should be able to get on them, because they help with our assignments. Our school didn’t block skype, facebook, and twitter for some odd reason. If they don’t block social networks, then they should not block the answer websites. I’m glad that we don’t have the social networking sites blocked, but we aren’t allowed to be on there, so there is no point.

I don’t like the fact that Yahoo and WikiAnswers are blocked on our school laptops mainly because, I find those websites very helpful to compare to other cites. Students should be able to decipher on their own whether or not the information is correct or not. When kids get into college, I don’t think that the college is going to block websites, so why do it in High School? I don’t find it necessary enough to make it officially sealed away from our use.