South County Middle School uses a website-blocking tool called Lightspeed Filter Agent. At first, it just blocked games and things that blatantly decreased productivity, but eventually websites like chess.com and websites that help students in school were blocked. A large portion of websites like chess.com and worldguessr.com were used to pass time when we had no other assignments.

Another important detail is that Lightspeed (really all monitoring software) has very extensive access to your personal data. As with most big companies, they sell your data to make extra profit. I believe this is an extreme violation of student privacy. Quite frankly, I don't know how you can see your data being sold as anything other than an egregious privacy concern. Kinda sad how so many companies do that now.

Student Testimonial:

Anonymous:

Ok, the new Lightspeed changes are actively inconveniencing me and the teachers. In science class one of the educational videos used for this lesson is blocked and now we can't do it. I am all for no school-work and whatnot but still, we go to school to learn and Lightspeed isn't helping.

If Lightspeed is not removed, I believe there should be a less strict policy on what gets blocked at school.

I also believe there (at minimum) should be a form for students to request sites to be unblocked. (with reason of course.)