Disabling social media for high school students on the BVSD network and BVSD-issued devices

In the Boulder Valley School District, our top priority is creating a safe, focused, and supportive learning environment for all students. As part of this ongoing commitment, we are writing to inform you of an important update regarding high school student district-issued devices and wifi access.

Effective August 10, BVSD will disable access to social media websites and applications on all high school student accounts and district-managed devices, bringing them in line with the same restrictions currently in place for PK-8 students. 

This is in addition to the restrictions placed on ChatGPT last year and our policy on cellphones, which restricts their usage for all students from bell-to-bell. 

Why we are making this change

Like ChatGPT and cellphones, our concerns are growing regarding the impact of social media on our students. 

The following are key reasons that we are increasing restrictions on social media:

• Maximizing Instructional Time: Social media notifications and feeds create continuous distractions, pulling students' attention away from lessons and collaborative classroom activities.
• Protecting Mental Health: Growing research links excessive social media use to increased anxiety, depression, and sleep deprivation among children and teenagers.
• Enhancing Digital Safety: Restricting these platforms minimizes risks related to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and data privacy violations during the school day.

What this means for your student

• On-Campus and Off-Campus: These restrictions apply to all district-owned Chromebooks, whether the student is connected to the school Wi-Fi or your home network. They will also impact students using their own devices, if they are utilizing BVSD’s wifi.
• Exceptions: There will be exceptions available for staff and student access requiring the use of social media for related programs and projects.

Partnering with families

We view digital citizenship as a partnership between our schools and your home. While we can manage district-issued devices, we encourage you to talk with your child about healthy boundaries for personal smartphones and private data plans.

Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and dedication to our students’ well-being and academic success.

Learn more about our Away for the Day cell phone policy in BVSD.