GOOGLE has implemented a new data policy for students under 18, focusing on enhanced privacy protections and age-appropriate experiences. Due to Google’s age restrictions, YouTube and some other Google Workspace services will now be blocked for student accounts within our district beginning May 1. This means that anytime a student is signed into a school-issued Chromebook or is signed into a student Google account on another device, they will be unable to access some Google Workspace services. 

Google Earth, Google Translate, and Google Maps are all some Google services they won’t be able to access.

These changes are necessary to comply with Google’s policies on data privacy for users under 18 and to make sure an appropriate online learning environment for students. Teachers will still be able to show YouTube videos, but they will have to post specific links for students to click. 

“I don’t use Google Translate a lot because I don’t need to, but when I was younger and I needed to use it to help me with my English, it was very helpful. It wasn’t always right, but it made talking to other people easier because it would immediately translate what I typed. without Google Translate, I think that it will be a little challenging for the students who can’t speak English, but there are other apps to help with that,” Imed Agular (10) said. 

It’s going to be a struggle without the use of Google Translate available to students, and lost access to other Google Workspaces will also have an impact on students.

“I use YouTube on a daily basis, and since we must pouch our phones, my Chromebook is the only electronic device that I can use. During free time and or flex, I like to watch YouTube, but now with YouTube being age-restricted and not being able to use it at home, it is going to be hard for me because I won’t have anything else to use,” Agular said.