Moms Talk Q & A: Should School Ban Students From Using Personal E-Mail At School

With the Waltham Public Schools , then reversing, the students from using their personal e-mail at school, the Moms Council has fielded the following question: Should schools ban students from using their personal e-mail at school?

Waltham mother Susan Sutherland: I applaud the students for addressing the ban on their checking personal e-mail accounts on school computers, and the school committee for listening to their concerns.

Reversing the ban in order to review the district's policy makes complete sense. It appears a decision was made but not communicated properly so not enough is known at this time to thoroughly understand the impact it will have.

Watertown mother Susan Saulnier: Using e-mails is an integrated part of society today. It is used for school projects and constructive interaction. Yes, it does have its misuse and it does need to be monitored to teach the kids how the system is used positively in today’s society.

The School Committee should have had a formal meeting to discuss the issue with all board members as well as listen to students before imposing the ban.

If the evidence is given that the outside e-mail use is jeopardizing the students socially at school then the ban should be imposed with a plan to upgrade the old system.

Watertown mother Dianne Wheeler: Schools need to have rules for students to follow to ensure for everyone’s safety and for academic success. Banning something like using a personal e-mail account seems harsh, especially since it is something the students are used to accessing. Technology is always going to be changing and growing and flat-out banning does a disservice to students. Students are so technologically savvy these days they would probably find a way around this anyway.

The reason for the ban stated is the fear of viruses on the computer system, not really anything students can do much about. If a hacker or a virus wants to get into the system, it will find a way.