How to block inappropriate websites on MCPS chrome book

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Love how mcps is immediately blamed. Hey parents- maybe you should have conversations with your kids about what is allowed and have them use their devices in the kitchen/living room where they can be monitored? Sure mcps can block sites but kids still figure out ways to access things they aren’t supposed to. So if it’s happening at home, is it really the systems fault?

This exactly. MCPS is a school system. Not a prison and not a cyber security company. They try to take reasonable measures to protect their infrastructure systems and the people utilizing them. But on every computer system, the greatest area of weakness is the people using the system. Fortunately/Unfortunately the key people using the systems at MCPS are kids, who view rule breaking as a challenge and means to access material that others deem inappropriate for them. Not to mention they have a hard time recon and understanding danger, particularly since most are so sheltered. The only way to solve this would be to completely lock the system down and then make every little request for sure access go through IT. I guarantee you that would be just as painful. It’s an imperfect system with imperfect people.

In which case, MCPS should be less reliant on Chromebooks. Especially for early elementary. They do more harm than good. Yet, my kid spends hours a day on her Chromebook in her MCPS elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Take it to the news, or threaten to do so. They won't do anything unless that is an option.

[Anonymous]

Your kids are perverts. Good for them. Only fans always needs new content

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kids are perverts. Good for them. Only fans always needs new content

Yeah, all kids are perverts. MCPS should know that pretty much all middle schoolers will be looking at P*rnhub.

And you’re right, it’s a billion dollar industry, so why not start them young?

Except that it is still illegal for KIDS to be accessing this stuff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about they just don't get Chromebooks. They aren't needed and really do more distraction than good.

And then people would be yelling that MCPS is not preparing kids to live and work in a digital world. Or look how my private school gave every kid an iPad or laptop. Or look it snowed for a week, why is 2023 is MCPs not prepared after Covid to move to virtual. Etc etc.

There is no winning.

[Anonymous]

Do all the MCPS kids get a Chromebook? Can parents opt out and give the child one from home? Am just curious, we are not in MCPS but we are moving to MCPS school for next school year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do all the MCPS kids get a Chromebook? Can parents opt out and give the child one from home? Am just curious, we are not in MCPS but we are moving to MCPS school for next school year.

Yes, you cannot opt out. And at our ES and MS, kids are not allowed to bring in a different laptop. They have to bring the Chromebook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do all the MCPS kids get a Chromebook? Can parents opt out and give the child one from home? Am just curious, we are not in MCPS but we are moving to MCPS school for next school year.

It depends on the school. We were told that our HS will allow kids to bring their own computer but few do. Most things can be done on your own computer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about they just don't get Chromebooks. They aren't needed and really do more distraction than good.

And then people would be yelling that MCPS is not preparing kids to live and work in a digital world. Or look how my private school gave every kid an iPad or laptop. Or look it snowed for a week, why is 2023 is MCPs not prepared after Covid to move to virtual. Etc etc.

There is no winning.

MCPS gives every child who wants it a chromebook. MCPS can move to virtual but the parents are having fits about it. Your private is charging $50-60K so yes, they should give a laptop or computer or you are wealthy so just go buy one. Why do you keep posting about MCPS when your kids are in private now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Love how mcps is immediately blamed. Hey parents- maybe you should have conversations with your kids about what is allowed and have them use their devices in the kitchen/living room where they can be monitored? Sure mcps can block sites but kids still figure out ways to access things they aren’t supposed to. So if it’s happening at home, is it really the systems fault?

This exactly. MCPS is a school system. Not a prison and not a cyber security company. They try to take reasonable measures to protect their infrastructure systems and the people utilizing them. But on every computer system, the greatest area of weakness is the people using the system. Fortunately/Unfortunately the key people using the systems at MCPS are kids, who view rule breaking as a challenge and means to access material that others deem inappropriate for them. Not to mention they have a hard time recon and understanding danger, particularly since most are so sheltered. The only way to solve this would be to completely lock the system down and then make every little request for sure access go through IT. I guarantee you that would be just as painful. It’s an imperfect system with imperfect people.

In which case, MCPS should be less reliant on Chromebooks. Especially for early elementary. They do more harm than good. Yet, my kid spends hours a day on her Chromebook in her MCPS elementary school.

They spent hours a day prior to covid as well. The kids played dumb games and for many hours a day and you can often see how much if you log into the accounts. Even if you opt out, teachers ignore it and make accounts for kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about they just don't get Chromebooks. They aren't needed and really do more distraction than good.

Sorry, Luddite. Your precious paper textbooks aren’t coming back. They will continue to have Chromebooks.

Or you can try a conservative Catholic school, if that’s what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take it to the news, or threaten to do so. They won't do anything unless that is an option.

LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about they just don't get Chromebooks. They aren't needed and really do more distraction than good.

Sorry, Luddite. Your precious paper textbooks aren’t coming back. They will continue to have Chromebooks.

Or you can try a conservative Catholic school, if that’s what you want.

Just curious if you have ever volunteered in a classroom to see how all the kids are on various websites never doing their work. Teachers in ready groups can’t watch. What used to be reading a book at your desk is now computer games, Roblox, porn, etc… for the entire block. And not my job to keep telling kids to get off these sites. The chromebooks should be optional for a few things only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about they just don't get Chromebooks. They aren't needed and really do more distraction than good.

Sorry, Luddite. Your precious paper textbooks aren’t coming back. They will continue to have Chromebooks.

Or you can try a conservative Catholic school, if that’s what you want.

Just curious if you have ever volunteered in a classroom to see how all the kids are on various websites never doing their work. Teachers in ready groups can’t watch. What used to be reading a book at your desk is now computer games, Roblox, porn, etc… for the entire block. And not my job to keep telling kids to get off these sites. The chromebooks should be optional for a few things only.

Yes, it is your job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take it to the news, or threaten to do so. They won't do anything unless that is an option.

LOL

Why are you laughing? It’s a good idea. Sometimes the only way to spur action is publicity. Most parents don’t know their kids have access to porn.