Technology & Internet Safety

As an online student at iUniversity Prep, you will be using your own personal device and home internet to access Grapevine-Colleyville ISD (GCISD) content. While the District provides specific tools to help safeguard your online experience, maintaining a secure learning environment at home requires a partnership between the District, parents, and students.

1. The District’s Role: Filtering & Monitoring

To support student safety and comply with state and federal regulations, GCISD employs technology to filter internet access.

• How it works: The District uses a Lightspeed Chrome plugin that activates only when the student is logged into their managed GCISD Google profile (e.g., Chrome browser logged in with @gcisd.net).

• Support: If you experience issues with the Lightspeed filter, please enter a help ticket under the student's name by logging into Classlink and choosing "Help Desk."

2. Limitations of District Filtering

District filtering is not a total solution for a personal device used at home.

• No Guarantees: The district policy notes that "as technology resources are ever evolving, it is not possible to guarantee 100% effectiveness".

• Profile Specific: The Lightspeed filter only monitors the specific GCISD student browser profile. Activity in a different browser or profile is not included and is subject only to the restrictions in place with your home internet connection. 

• Liability: "The District shall not be liable for users' inappropriate use of electronic communication resources... [or] responsible for ensuring the accuracy, age appropriateness, or usability of any information available on the Internet".

3. Parent Responsibilities: Home Network

Because GCISD cannot manage your home network, parents must take additional steps to ensure internet safety outside of the specific District-managed profile.

• Home Router Controls: We strongly recommend parents access their home WiFi router settings to set up "parental controls." These allow you to block specific sites, restrict internet access times (e.g., bedtime), and filter content for all devices on your home network, regardless of which browser profile is being used.

• Resource for Parents:  Search for your home router manual for help setting parental controls.  For general tips, see https://connectsafely.org/controls/.

4. Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to follow the GCISD Acceptable Use Policy even when using personal devices for schoolwork. https://www.gcisd.net/page/agreements-and-policies

• Authorized Access: "Users must have a valid, authorized GCISD account to access the network".

• Account Safety: "Users are responsible for safeguarding their computer account... [and] should NEVER share their passphrase".

• Prohibited Activities: Students must not engage in harmful or illegal activities including uploading harmful content or deliberately attempting to disrupt systems.