Now You See it, Now You Don’t: Why Websites Disappear
SUA’s MacBook pop-up for blocked applications. Photograph by Maren Gemerchak.
By Maren Gemerchak ‘27
February 10, 2025
TOLEDO, OH. – Netflix, Pinterest, YouTube- there are many applications at SUA that seemed to have disappeared overnight, and these are just a few. Many students are curious as to why.
Nobody has heard more complaints than the head of the technology department, Mr. Mark Miller. Beginning his work at St. Ursula Academy in 2014, he’s had over a decade to hear the protests.
When it comes to websites available, Mr. Miller acknowledges that SUA has lots of control, but it’s not just SUA making the decisions.
“We do get federal funding through a program called E-Rate,” he said.
E-Rate is a program that provides funding for internet services, online communications, maintenance costs or even technology equipment itself.
Yet, these benefits only apply if their requirements are met, which includes their directing of online access.
“99% of the time, we block what we do because we’re being compliant with E-Rate,” said Mr. Miller. “By allowing certain applications, we would be going against the terms of service we agreed to.”
Along with that, the computers are governed by an even stricter force – the federal government.
The Children’s Internet Protection Act, or CIPA, legally dictates online resources for anyone under the age of 18. If students view explicit content on their MacBooks (even when off school grounds), the responsibility to uphold the law still falls on the school.
“It’s not because we’re being mean, but as a school we have to sustain those types of things,” Mr. Miller said.
Student Brylee Walsh typing on her MacBook. Photograph by Maren Gemerchak
And if it couldn’t get tougher, there’s also the matter of student data privacy.
“You may have had access to a program that you don’t anymore because of how that company utilizes the information that is shared with them,” Mr. Miller said.
This is important due to the regulations regarding minors. By allowing every application, there are hundreds of ways for a student’s information to be stolen.
In the end, the sites that student’s see (or don’t see) are dictated by the ultimate goal to keep them and the school safe.
“It’s for your protection and for ours,” Mr. Miller said.
