“Is Messages loading on your MacBook?” My friend turned around to ask me during our second hour Algebra 2 class back in the fall.
“Let me check,” I said as I waited for the Messages application to open after clicking on the green and white icon at least a hundred times.
But it still didn’t open.
I force quit the app and restarted my MacBook. Then, I tried to open it again.
Still nothing.
The district had been continually blocking websites on our school-issued computers, but I never thought they’d block Messages.
But they did.
Months later, the app still doesn’t open on students’ computers all across the school district. The inability to access Messages on our MacBooks is highly frustrating as students’ phones were taken away by a ban passed Feb. 3 of last year, already limiting communication during the school day. And the district gave no explanation for its decision.
Annoyed, I started asking for any information about why the district decided to block Messages, yet found nothing but rumors.
Students would likely understand if there is a concern for their safety. The problem is that there is no information from the district. The app just blocked one random day.
The district has been, and is continually blocking and taking away resources for students on their devices. I understand blocking websites that allow students to use AI for their schoolwork or play games during class periods, but blocking a way for students to communicate with each other, and their parents, is too far.
When I was first issued a school computer in middle school, I was hesitant to sign into my home Apple account so I could send text from my MacBook. In high school, though, that completely changed — driving, managing my own schedule and being more involved in school made communicating during the school day very crucial.
The best way to communicate quickly and effectively during the school day is by texting from MacBooks. I can quickly switch back and forth between my assignment opened on the Canvas website and the Messages app on my dock, without having to use my phone and risk distracting other students or getting in trouble.
Since the phone ban issued earlier this school year, my phone now lives in a phone caddy in over half of my classes. Not being able to open Messages on my computer anymore makes it impossible to communicate with people outside my classroom. If I need to text one of my parents, I have to ask my teacher as politely as possible and hope they’ll trust me that I’m actually going to text my parents and not scroll on my phone.
How else am I supposed to tell my mom a friend is taking me home from school? Or text my dad that I left my chemistry binder at home? My only option is to email them midday while they’re at work — they’d see it hours later.
Another possible explanation for the blocking of Messages could be that the district saw students texting on their MacBooks as the use of a phone. If they’re trying to block the use of phone-like tools in the school environment, blocking a form of communication the majority of school activities have defaulted to isn’t the solution.
As a writer on the staff of the Harbinger, I used to be able to send a quick text from my MacBook to a copy editor asking for an edit on my story.
It’s not possible anymore.
If I need to communicate with the peers I’m working with on a project, I’ll hop on my Macbook and send a reminder to do their part.
Not. Possible. Anymore.
While I have managed without having access to Messages on my MacBook, it hasn’t been easy. I consistently miss messages from my parents about changes to after-school plans, and hear at least one complaint a day from a friend about how they couldn’t reach me during my sixth hour.
The district should hear the complaints about this issue and understand the annoyance this has caused students, not allowing them to text people about school activities and giving no reason for doing so. Until then, I’ll just have to continue listening to murmurs from those around me about why this unreasonable decision was made.
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