Kids love the Internet.

It’s where they upload photos on Facebook, befriend people on MySpace, and illegally download music. But now, their favorite medium could soon become their worst enemy.

This week, the Schenectady City School District joined many districts across the country by giving parents online access to their student’s report cards, says the Times Union in Albany, N.Y.

The district went even further, giving parents the option of viewing discipline records and daily updates on classroom attendance.

Earlier this month, some Florida districts allowed online parental access to grades, attendance, and homework assignments, says >TCPalm. In Minnesota, districts that don’t have “parent portals” have fallen behind, says the Star Tribune.

Posting grades online not only keeps interested parents in the loop, it also saves teachers valuable time. Thanks to the Web, they no longer have to add up grades by hand or field calls from curious parents.

And knowing Mom and Dad are only a click away from seeing his or her D in chemistry could keep students from slacking.

Parents who feel like they need they need a crowbar to pry information from their kids will find the program most useful—and possibly thrilling.

Secretly glimpsing at grades could be just as exciting as downloading music for free.

Although some schools have experienced low registration numbers—at Albany High, only one-fourth of parents signed up to glance at students’ grades—the option promises make otherwise info-starved parents more involved in their child’s education.

Stacey Hollenbeck, spring intern