Securly Editorial

The Blake Bear Bugle has never written an editorial before. However, Securly, a content-filtering tech platform, has impacted students in so many negative ways that we felt it was necessary to voice our concern.

We believe that Securly goes against the school’s core values. Blake values curiosity. However, Securly has blocked many websites, limiting our access to information. The same is true in a classroom setting. Students may be curious about the topic, and do a Google search to learn more - now, these tangents are blocked. Blake also values resilience. We learn from mistakes. We learn from freedom. Blake’s approach with Securly is to optimize us by removing distractions. This takes away our ability to learn from our mistakes and become more responsible students. Lastly, Blake values inclusivity. The foundation of inclusivity is equity. Equity is one of the reasons behind Blake’s 1:1 laptop program. It allows all students access to the same technology, even if they don’t have phones or other devices. However, Blake is now limiting the functionality of these laptops. That leaves many students without access to the same information and resources as their peers.

The Blake Bear Bugle recognizes that many students get distracted during class. There will always be distractions. Eliminating distractions doesn’t solve the problem. The solution is to teach us how to manage distractions. Learning how to manage distractions is one of the most helpful things that can be taught. As students get older, there are going to be more distractions. The school must work to create a culture of paying attention. Other curricula or education programs might give students the tools to manage their time and their screens responsibly.

Lastly, the Blake Bear Bugle is strongly opposed to the expansion of Securly to other grades. As students get older, they will face more and more distractions. School is no longer about learning the facts, but about learning how to learn and manage time effectively. Expanding Securly will make us less prepared for upper school. Respectfully, we urge the school to respect its values and students’ growth by stopping Securly next year.