But parents say students were previously able to bypass preinstalled device management apps.
One middle school teacher said the first students in her class to receive PLD in 2021 already knew how to get around the restrictions.
“Within a few days, we found that they understood how to use a variety of chat, entertainment and gaming apps on their devices. “They may choose to return to class to use their Chromebooks during recess or lunch instead of socializing.”
Nurse Andrew Hsu, 50, said he and his wife set limits on their two sons’ PLD use at home, but they can’t control their use when they’re at school. He declined to name the school.
Even with Mobile Guardian installed, YouTube and gaming websites can be accessed through the PLD, he said. He wants to install his own parenting software, but Mobile Guardian prevents him from doing so.
Both boys, aged 15 and 17, have their own mobile phones, but Sue uses Google Family Link to limit their use, so they only use their phones for WhatsApp and listening to music. can.
His younger son was eventually referred to a school counselor to help manage his iPad usage and has since been able to reduce his screen time.
additional burden
Parents said they need to control their teens’ use of other devices besides smartphones at home. Additionally, children often tell us that they need PLD for school work, but this is not necessarily true.
“I feel like 007. I have to always outsmart my kids so they don’t take advantage of PLD,” said the mother of a student at Gunnsen. Bring your school-issued iPad home.
For example, when my son was asked to leave his iPad where he could see it on the table, he instead placed an empty iPad cover as a decoy. She notices him heading to the bathroom to play games on his device.
She has since confiscated her son’s PLD and is considering not allowing him to use it at school next year. She said she informed school leaders and they did not object.
Another parent said her son was able to reset parental controls by creating a separate user account on his school-issued iPad and logging in with it.
“The kids find a way to do a factory reset, but then we have to start all over again. I feel that trust has been lost and family relationships have been affected as well. ” she said.
Parents claim that the guidance provided on enabling parental controls is not sufficient to fully understand how to effectively manage PLD. Also, there are so many permutations and possibilities when it comes to configuring controls.
In response to questions, Gan Eng Seng School said that the use of PLD in the classroom has educational value. By using the device, the school observed “increased student ownership” in their learning as students responded on an online platform.
“Students will also learn when, where and how to seek help when they need it, for example in the event of PLD abuse or if they are struggling with excessive use of digital technology,” the school said. I can teach you,” he said, adding that he intends to continue cooperating. Parents should carefully monitor their children’s use of PLD at home.
The school will also provide counseling, referrals and further intervention as needed for students who require additional support.
