As a concerned student in Bothell, WA, I believe in the importance of privacy for our children. Our school district, Northshore School District (NSD), currently has web filters on all computers that remain active even after school hours. This petition is to request that these filters be disabled after 2:35 pm each day.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) affirms that students do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate. This includes their right to access information online when they are out of school hours.

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens have access to a smartphone and 45% say they are online 'almost constantly'. These statistics show how integral internet usage is in our children's lives today. By keeping web filters active beyond school hours, we may inadvertently stifle their ability to explore and learn independently.

It's important for us as parents and educators not just to protect but also trust our children with responsible internet use. Let's advocate for their privacy rights and encourage independent learning by disabling NSD computer web filters after 2:35 pm.

Please sign this petition if you agree with this cause.