HCPSSChanges in Social Media and Gaming Access on HCPSS-Issued Chromebooks Effective July 1, 2024
June 11th, 2024
In February, HCPSS announced a change to Instagram access on the HCPSS instructional network. Upon further review, HCPSS is making additional changes regarding student access to social media and gaming sites to promote student engagement for students with 1:1 device access and support parents/guardians as they help students use their school-issued devices responsibly at home.
Beginning July 1, HCPSS will block access to social media at all schools and most game websites at middle and high schools only on the HCPSS instructional (student) network and on student Chromebooks.
This change will not impact games used for educational purposes. HCPSS provides a comprehensive list of approved essential digital tools and supplemental digital tools available to students based on grade level or course enrollment. Details, including a link to the approved tools, are available online.
As a reminder, direct access to YouTube is blocked for elementary school students. Parents of middle and high school students can remove direct access to the YouTube website by deselecting Google Additional Services in HCPSS Connect. Details, including directions, are available online. All students will be able to view embedded YouTube videos, such as those curated by their teachers and embedded in Canvas courses, regardless of the parental settings.