Non-Instructional Video Streaming Websites No Longer Accessible on HCPSS Network/HCPSS-Issued Devices

February 28th, 2021

Effective Monday, March 1, 2021, video streaming services—such as Netflix, TikTok, Hulu, Showtime, Snapchat, Tumblr, Xbox live, Fortnite and HBO—will no longer be accessible on the HCPSS network or on HCPSS-issued devices. These services are not approved instructional technology sites and use of these sites has created network performance issues.

Currently, non-instructional websites account for 65 percent of HCPSS network usage and present potential security risks. With the increased network demands for hybrid learning and the increase in the number of technology devices being used on the HCPSS network, staff and students are experiencing buffering during some of their hybrid instructional sessions due to users accessing these non-instructional sites during school hours. The use of non-instructional video streaming services is one of the major contributing factors for the reported internet performance issues.

HCPSS will continue to monitor our network usage and make adjustments as we seek to provide all staff and students an effective instructional experience that limits lag time and any frustrations related to slow bandwidth.