By Adrian Vitale – Social Media Editor

The Milford Public School District recently blocked YouTube on students’ school-issued devices.

The YouTube ban was issued due to safety and privacy concerns, according to Law Principal Mr. Darcy.

“First, Google has changed their policies and now require parental consent for YouTube use for anyone under the age of 18,” Darcy said. “This would be very difficult for any school to manage safely. In general, YouTube and other sites can be valuable in education in given circumstances so staff still have the ability to use YouTube videos in their Google Classroom along with their classrooms when it’s applicable and appropriate.”

Law English teacher Ms. Smuniewski had mixed feelings about the ban.

“I think that the district’s decision to ban YouTube on student Chromebooks is bittersweet,” Smuniewski said. “While students are sometimes distracted by YouTube, I’ve also seen many use it to their advantage (examples: learning more about a specific topic, watching instructions on how to do something, watching experts in the field talk about their subject, etc).”

While students can not access YouTube on their own, teachers do have the option to upload YouTube links to Google Classroom. All YouTube videos on Google Classroom can be viewed in school.

“The YouTube ban doesn’t really affect us as teachers since we can still post school approved videos from YouTube through Google Classroom,” Chemistry teacher Mrs. Turcotte said.

Students had different opinions about the YouTube ban. Many students enjoyed the open access they previously had to YouTube on school-issued devices. 

“I no longer have access to some of the helpful resources I had on YouTube, like helpful videos with math or science,” sophomore Sean Sula said.

Sophomore Vincenzo Mannino said he previously has used YouTube for homework help.

“I enjoyed the easy access to YouTube as a student for helpful material,” Mannino said. “Though as long as you listen and take notes in class to check back over, it shouldn’t be too big of an issue.”