WI schools block social media access for students

MADISON, Wis. – The Madison, Wisconsin school district is blocking students’ access to social media sites at several schools during the school day as part of a pilot project aimed at reengaging students.

School officials at East High School and Wright and Cherokee Middle Schools killed access to Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and dozens of other social media sites on May 1, and West High School followed suit on Monday.

The plan is to track students at the schools through the end of the year to determine if the change made any impact on student behavior, academics, and school safety, the Wisconsin State Journal reports.

“Our students who are the most disengaged are typically the ones who are stuck on their phones and walking the halls with their heads down,” East High School Principal Mike Hernandez said. “I call it the zombie walk, and unfortunately it can lead to students making poor choices on social media with Instagram and Facebook Live.”

The reaction from students and parents is mixed, with some recognizing the need to crack down on bullying that often takes place online and others who believe the censorship goes too far, Fox 61 reports.

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