Imagine you’re in class trying to get a project done, but when you type something into the search bar, nothing of use comes up for your project due before the end of class. Now you must look it up elsewhere or redirect the topic. The reason why no images come up is because of the school’s iPad filter. This could be due to a lack of description in the search or a firewall. 

“Whenever I try searching up things for a project, it blurs out any images that I might find helpful when the project is time limited,” said sophomore Emma Zapien. 

Tech specialist Michael Parkhurst says the filters were put in place to protect students. Many agree it causes lots of problems with not only students but teachers. At least a few times a year a lesson is interrupted because of the filter. The reason for this is because teachers and students have different access to the filter, meaning teachers have access to more resources than students, making it more complicated to teach a lesson at times.  

“The filter definitely affects students because, unlike teachers, students don’t have a second plan or a plan B. If something doesn’t work, then they’re just waiting on their teacher to figure out what’s going on,” said industrial tech teacher Jorge Chavez. 

When these complications occur for students, they must figure out a plan on what they can and cannot use in school. If they cannot get the information needed, they must use their phone. Some teachers don’t allow phones in class, but if the only way students can work is on their phones, what else do they do?  

“I think in the long run, you would be able to access more studying tools than you can now without sacrificing as much in the way of security,” Parkhurst said.