Your school had decided to restrict the internet access to social media sites such as Facebook and Xanga in school areas. Students will not be allowed to browse these websites in library or computer room. As President of your students’ Association, write a letter to your school principal protesting against the new policy. Provide at least 3 reasons why you and your fellow students should oppose this plan
Dear Principal,
I am writing to express my opposition to the school’s policy, which is to restrict the internet access to social media sites such as Facebook and Xanga in school. As one of the students, I understand that the school hopes to avoid students indulging themselves in these websites, which might distract them from their studies. Nevertheless, this policy might give rise to a number of problems and I believe that there must be some alternatives to improve the situation.
Our Students’ Association last month conducted a survey on the rates of browsing these social media sites at school of our students. About 75% of the interviewees admitted that they had visited these websites at school before, but at a very low rate, only spending 5 minutes per week. They said so because of the school’s reminder, which appeared in school library and computer room, stating that students should not use computers for non-academic purpose. Besides, most respondents stressed that they could not spare time to go to library or computer room in recess or lunchtime deliberately to waste time on the Internet for their own leisure, owing to loads of homework and quizzes. They would rather spend their time on preparing for lessons or taking a rest. After analyzing the results of the survey, obviously students only browse social media sites at school sometimes. Therefore, the school need not worry too much about students’ indulgence in the Internet world and hence the restriction to internet access to these websites is not necessary.
Moreover, the policy to block social media sites seems to be depriving of students’ freedom. It is another practice of Communist Party, which does not permit the mainlanders to visit these websites, actually restricting their freedom. As members of Hong Kong citizens, who should enjoy freedom, our students might feel like studying in a communist-controlled society, with lack of liberty to do what is not problematic in nature. This might even cause unrest in our school—-students might have negative impression on the school and its every later policy. Isn’t it true that even teachers do not want to lose their freedom?
Furthermore, education should be done instead of implementing this policy so early in this stage. School is a place to provide comprehensive education for students’ holistic development, rather than a prison to restrict every student’s action. It is more important for the school to teach students how to be good than to give them a stick. Students should be informed about the disadvantages of over-indulgence in these social media sites such as distraction from studies. They would understand more the school’s stance and limit the use of these websites at school themselves.
The implementation of the school’s policy to restrict Internet access to social media websites is unnecessary and depriving of students’ freedom. Also, it is always better to educate our students before taking any further action. Finally, I hope the school can understand our views and consider to abolish the proposed policy.
Yours faithfully
Chris Wong
Chris Wong
President of Students’ Association