We are writing to request that the Bellevue School District (BSD), Lake Washington School District (LWSD) and surrounding school administrations reconsider the strict, blanket blocks on video game websites and applications during designated student free time. While we understand the need to maintain an environment focused on learning during class hours, we believe that completely blocking games during breaks, lunches, and free periods is counterproductive.

Allowing students to play video games responsibly during their free time would benefit our school community in two major ways:

Relieving Academic Pressure: Students in Bellevue face intense academic workloads and high stress. Everyone needs a way to decompress. For many of us, quick video games are a highly effective way to relax, reset our brains, and lower anxiety between challenging classes. Taking a mental break with a game can actually help us focus better when we return to our schoolwork.

Encouraging Transparency and Digital Safety: Right now, the strict filters do not stop students from gaming. Instead, it drives people to find workarounds, like using risky VPNs, unblocked mirror sites, or proxy servers to bypass the system. These workarounds can expose the school network to cybersecurity risks and malware. By unblocking approved, age-appropriate games during free periods, the district can encourage students to stay on safe, monitored networks.

We do not want games to disrupt class time. We simply ask for a balanced approach: keep the restrictions active during instructional hours, but give students the freedom and trust to use their free time to unwind in a way that works for them.
Please sign this petition to show your support for a more balanced, trusting, and stress-relieving policy regarding gaming in BSD schools!