If you have logged on to the school wifi have you found that certain websites could be blocked that weren’t last year such as ChatGPT and Youtube.  Schools have chosen to restrict access to platforms like ChatGPT and some YouTube videos, claiming that these sites can distract students and interfere with their learning. While the goal of keeping students focused is understandable, these bans also raise important questions about access to information and the balance between guidance and independence.

One of the major drawbacks of using ChatGPT and YouTube in class is the risk of misinformation. According to NewsGuard, YouTube and ChatGPT have both been known to present false information and hoaxes. Even when students use these platforms as study tools or for completing assignments, the information they provide is not always reliable. This is a significant concern because school is meant to provide accurate, factual knowledge, and relying on these sites can undermine that foundation.

Another major concern with using websites like ChatGPT for assignments is plagiarism. Forbes reports that nearly 90 percent of students have already used ChatGPT for homework, creating serious challenges around cheating and academic integrity. Since the rise of AI tools, teachers have grown increasingly alert of students relying on them instead of their own work. By blocking ChatGPT, take a proactive step to reduce plagiarism and push students toward trustworthy, factual sources, reinforcing the skills and knowledge that education is meant to build.

In addition to plagiarism concerns, there are other websites you can use instead of youtube such as khan academy, ed puzzle, CNN ten. According to Educators Technology, “There are several YouTube alternatives that can be excellent resources for enhancing classroom learning and offering students safe, educational content.” However, giving students unrestricted access to YouTube can lead to distractions, as they may click on unrelated videos about sports, games, or other entertainment instead of focusing on their assignments. By placing restrictions on YouTube, the school ensures that students stay on task and engage only with educational, school-related content.

With all of these points in mind, it is clear that the ban is already benefiting students by allowing them to use the internet for learning rather than for cheating or distractions. Students need to retain the skills and knowledge they gain in school so they can apply them in the future. Even though you can use these websites to help, this ban is  crucial in creating a focused, productive learning environment, free from the distractions of AI tools or entertainment websites that could undermine their efforts.