You’re working on your homework assignment that is due at the end of the day during your free period, and suddenly the internet decides to stop working and becomes really slow. The cause could most likely be explained by one of two things.

Number one: the internet crashed for some mysterious reason.

Number two: students streaming videos and playing online games slowed down the internet.

No one wants this slow down which can interfere with lots of important student activities—including learning. The school has  taken measures to try to prevent internet problems by limiting access to certain sites and banning internet access for smart phones. These things have been done to try and make the internet work better.

This blocking is controversial for some. While some use websites such as YouTube and other video streaming sites for their own entertainment, others use the sites for academic work.

“Most of the time kids are using YouTube for instructions on their work like math and Physics. They are using it for academic reasons,” says sophomore, Alex Denler.

The problem is that not all students are using videos for school. Some are just catching up on another episode of their favorite Netflix show or feasting on March Madness games.

Should students be allowed to stream videos during school and be trusted to do the right thing? Or should the school just block all websites that stream videos?

Many students say that studying for 75 minutes straight is a near impossible feat.

“I can’t study for 75 minutes straight so I take a break and occasionally play a game or watch a video to free up my mind,” says Senior, Owen Ragsdale.

The school does not prevent students from taking short mental breaks, but they do encourage students to use time wisely.

“Kids need other outlets without affecting academic time, and they need to learn how to manage unstructured time,” says teacher, Ms. Lloyd.

Some students are completely oblivious that their activities on the internet can impact others.

“I had no idea that streaming videos could slow down the internet,” says Freshman, Luke Fenker.

All in all, a video or two here and there will not have a significant impact on internet speed but if every student in the Student Center decided to watch a video, some problems may occur.

So the next time you take out your computer to watch your favorite show think about the ways you could be impacting other students.

As for March Madness? Really, it can wait.