Technically Trying

In today's digital world, kids are often more tech-savvy than we realize. One tool they might use is a VPN, or Virtual Private Network. While VPNs are commonly used for privacy and security, some children may also use them to bypass parental controls. This guide will help parents understand VPNs, recognize signs of misuse, and maintain open communication with their kids about responsible technology use. Remember, your child is really smart! Communicate your concerns with them at every turn when it comes to digital safety. You're helping them grow and become healthy tech savvy adults! What is a VPN? A VPN encrypts internet traffic and masks a user's location by routing their connection through a secure server. While this can protect privacy and secure sensitive data on public Wi-Fi networks, it also allows users to hide their online activity, which may be concerning for parents. How Kids Might Use VPNs to Bypass Parental Controls Children might use VPNs to: Access res...

 Our school is fully immersed in the Google Education field by using managed devices (Chromebooks) and Google email sign-ins. We find this to be extremely helpful for us when having AMI days or keeping track of assignments. Going the digital route has allowed us to alleviate the need for photocopies for every assignment, keeping track of paperwork, and teacher's grading hours past contract time.  But a downfall of being almost all digital is also that students get around those safe guards we have in place to monitor all of this digital activity. They are smart and they are determined! Students will find every caveat or work around they can in order to feel some independence and "stick it to the man". This is completely normal and healthy for them, especially at the ages we are giving them the technology. We, as adults, need to be aware that they will do these things, not to test us as adults, but to test themselves: Can I do it? Will I get caught? What else could I try? T...