I am a student at St. Paul’s Co-educational College (SPCC) located in Hong Kong Island and I live in continuous fear and stress because of strict device inspections by the school. The laptop that I have doesn’t contain any games, but it does come with VPN software. However, my personal intent is to use this tool and not engage in any contravening activity. All the same, the presence of this tool on my computer may cause disciplinary investigations and misconducts.

Every day I feel scared of being subjected under such checks next time due to their immense implications which makes it look more than what can be handled if we consider punishment measures only without looking at other aspects This goes beyond fears of punishment; this is about privacy violation. These checks go through private gadgets that hold social life information which has nothing to do with either my academic honesty or school engagements.

Anxiety is not something that affects only one person; it is a feeling shared by many of my contemporaries. We often push up against our dread for device checks during the break. This policy has made us mentally sick and intensified our fear of placements to unfathomed levels. Yet despite being known for its academic rigor, what actually necessitates such heightened anxiety over device inspections?

Through this petition, we want to address the school of their concerning actions towards students. But most importantly, to foster communication between the administration and students in order to create a bond of respect to privacy and trust.

Respecting privacy and trust when it comes to students' electronic devices is very important for several reasons. First, it acknowledges the students' right to have their own personal space and keep their communications private, which is crucial for their personal growth and independence. Second, it creates a positive learning environment where students feel secure and respected, leading to better learning results. Finally, it builds a foundation of mutual respect and open communication between students and the school administration, which is essential for the overall health and functioning of the educational institution. Upholding these values not only supports the individual rights of students but also strengthens the entire educational community.

We strongly urge you to sign and share this petition to protect the privacy and rights of all SPCC students!