Wi-Fi access to Netflix, Instagram and Snapchat blocked in Toronto District schools...but will it help?

by Anton Arsenov / May 10, 2017, 9:21 AM

Wi-Fi access to Netflix, Instagram and Snapchat blocked in Toronto District schools...but will it help?

We all know how distracting social networks can be at school. And, if a simple Snapchat update can make a mess in the learning process, as happened in a Kansas school a few years ago, what else could go wrong when we also add Netflix, Instagram, and other apps, in which today's teenagers spend a solid amount of time?

Some of the schools in Toronto District have discovered one of the possible answers to this question: heavy usage of social media apps can simply block the school network. This is the reason why the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has shut down Wi-Fi access to Netflix, Instagram and Snapchat until the end of the school year.

In a statement on its website, the Board says it made the decision to take this “temporary measure” because just these three sites accounted for more than 20% of the overall daily network activity. And in their older, slower network, the usage of these apps made many necessary operational tasks, such as attendance, registration and report cards, “nearly impossible to complete”.

So, it seems the distraction is not the main issue here, but the Wi-Fi network being overwhelmed because of too much social activity, which in fact hinders basic school activities. Of course, using social media apps by students while at school, or in class, can also be a problem if we dig into less interesting things like learning process and academic performance. But, after all, if the students really want access to the social sites on their personal mobile devices, they will always find a way to get it even with a blocked Wi-Fi network: it would be enough for them to turn the Wi-Fi off, and go to the mobile network.

Obviously, the Toronto District School Board is well aware of that, so it is not going to permanently ban the usage of Netflix, Instagram and Snapchat in school. And, fortunately for the students there, the Board will start working on a newer, faster network for its schools over the summer. In September, the regular Wi-Fi access is expected to be restored. Lucky teenagers...

But what about the nerds? Well, they can always take a look at this simple guide on how to avoid distracting apps (on Android smartphones).

source: TDSB via Mobilesyrup

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7 Comments

1. bucknassty

Posts: 1394; Member since: Mar 24, 2017

good idea, they are distractions

posted on May 10, 2017, 9:28 AM 4

2. WPX00

Posts: 513; Member since: Aug 15, 2015

As a student myself, I agree with these bans. My school has one, and it reduces distractions for most students. Of course, I use LTE all the time, so I personally don't really care *shrugs*

posted on May 10, 2017, 9:44 AM 4

3. applesnapple93

Posts: 340; Member since: Jan 06, 2016

LMAO the writers on this site man... EVERY district has blocks in for student side networks blocking social media and streaming websites with exception of youtube and educational sites. Its apart of the terms of service and internet policy. We're doing identical upgrades to our network to accomodate the evolution of the internet... It will help bandwidth on the districts side yes, but only until streaming sites take full advantage of higher bandwidth connections. I work in IT and manage this, wanna write an article about my district too? not sure why you thinkg toronto is so special lol

posted on May 10, 2017, 10:28 AM 6

5. japjoe7

Posts: 9; Member since: Aug 28, 2015

Uhhh yeah...I was thinking the same thing. How is this even an article. They must be really fishing for thing to write about.

posted on May 10, 2017, 11:02 AM 1

4. arman9953

Posts: 49; Member since: Nov 22, 2011

They got wifi? :D

posted on May 10, 2017, 10:58 AM 0

6. patroni0

Posts: 57; Member since: Mar 26, 2012

This happens in almost every school district how is this news? I've worked at a high school for 3 years now and since day 1 instagram, snapchat, and netflix have all been blocked. Nothing new.