When students log on to their computers they feel comfortable, confident, and normal. However since the big change in Google icons students now feel annoyed, embarrassed, and a loss of their sense of self. Students feel like they lost one of the only ways they can make their school account personalized and a way to be creative.
Ever since students got access to computers in Elementary students were able to showcase their individuality with photos that showcase their hobbies, pets, art work, favorite memes, or any other type of creative design.
This change came as a shock to most students who had no idea this was happening and why. Students just opened their laptops to learn that photos they used to express themselves were taken away and replaced with their bland school photos. Most students dislike seeing their school photo every day and were very upset with this change. “Honestly, I think it was a terrible decision to change it. It was something that did not need changing, and it is very upsetting, especially since we never got a heads up,“ sophomore Evanna Bennett said.
When asked how students felt about the change to your school photo being chosen for you as your Google picture, 81% said they highly dislike this change and over 11% said they disliked this change. Some would say that students feel this way because they hated the way their school picture looked. That was the case for around 28% of the students who answered no to the question asking if they had a photo they were fond of, but even though most of these students hated the change around 72% of them did have a photo they were fond of. “Well there are a few school pictures I’ve liked in the past but I don’t like having my school photo on my accounts for everyone to see 24/7. I prefer having a picture of my dog because it isn’t a picture of me,” said freshman Rudy Calderson.
This is all because students lost a creative outlet. This was a way for students to show a part of themselves that made them comfortable and confident. However once this change was made they lost this. Sophomore Monique Reidler said, “I can’t express myself that often anymore, or find people who have the same interest as me.” Profile pictures may seem like a small thing but to students they even are a way people connect with others. This takes away that part of self expression students loved. Freshman Ella Quakenbush said, “I had this adorable illustration of a crow flopped on the ground like he was all too tired as my profile picture before the change, but now I have my mug shot instead. I feel like the change as a whole limits self expression. Now we only have our faces to tell a story about us instead of a fun hand-picked photo which gives you a lot more insight into a person than their mugshot.”
It’s not even just a way of expression, it is also a way to feel confident in yourself. Many students don’t love staring at a picture of themselves even when they used to think it was good. When they constantly see these photos it can make students dislike a once good photo. “I really dislike the change because I liked the option to have a photo that more encompasses my personality rather than my bland school photo.” Said sophomore Sophia Pena. This makes students feel like their photo is just bland instead of being able to be okay with it. Sophomore Daisy Youngblood said, “The change made me feel horrible about my school photo cause I liked what I had as my profile before because it was just me anyways. I think changing it is stupid.”
Students also dislike this change because it takes away their past. This was a very big issue with many students. They had photos that were old and reminded them of the past and their life as a kid. This was expressed through old art work, pictures of pets, and many other things.
“I really don’t like this,” freshman Cooper Hanson said. “I had a picture of my dog that I had since around 3rd grade which was my profile picture for maybe 9 years. So this makes me mad.” This lets people remember the past years, people, and pets.
Despite many students strong feelings and thoughts
on the change no one knew the real reason that this change was made. We talked to Mr.Bingham who works in tech for Millard and he was able to explain this to us students. Mr.Bingham said, “We had am lot of request, especially from teachers who have a lot of students on their roster so they can better identify students.” Many students assumed this change was made because of students actions but the real reason was the Teachers. This makes it so much easier for teachers to communicate with students but especially teachers that work in office, counseling, tech, and many other departments like this.
This is why once students opened their laptops to see the change they weren’t happy. It wasn’t only because they didn’t like their picture. Some of the reasons were because their photos were from the past and held many memories, they lost a way to express themselves and show their hobbies, and the loss of confidence that came with seeing their face constantly. So teachers are thankful for this change, while students are now wondering what’s next.
