5 Technologies That Improve Student Digital Safety in Schools

Schools today operate differently from how they did a decade ago. Now, students are more exposed to technology than ever, with laptops and tablets in almost every classroom.  But while digital learning has opened up new possibilities, it’s also created new responsibilities for schools. Now, content filtering software has become essential for filtering inappropriate content, tracking activity, and alerting staff and parents to potential issues before they become serious problems. But which options are best?

1. Linewize

Linewize combines classroom management with internet filtering in a single platform. It’s designed for schools that want to give teachers visibility during lessons and continuous safety monitoring throughout the school day.

Content Filtering and Internet Safety

Linewize filters inappropriate websites and blocks access to unsafe online categories. However, a high school class may have different needs than an elementary class, so Linewize offers customizable permission and access structures. This flexibility helps prevent students from accessing harmful or distracting content while still keeping age-appropriate educational resources available.  

Content Monitoring Tools

A significant benefit Linewize offers is the ability to let teachers monitor students’ computer screens in real time during class sessions. This helps to detect if students are accessing content unrelated to the lesson. When a teacher notices a student drifting from the assigned work, they can guide the student back to the correct resources without interrupting the entire class.

Student Risk Detection

Linewize has features to monitor searches and browsing patterns to identify any concerning activity. Linewize also has a built-in system that indicates behavior that may indicate bullying, self-harm, or harmful content. If a risk arises, Linewize sends alerts to school staff, making them aware of the situation so they can investigate and respond accordingly. 

2. GoGuardian

GoGuardian is ideal for Chromebook-based school environments because it integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace. The platform provides tools for both classroom management and safety monitoring, making it a popular choice for schools. It’s not limited to Chromebooks; it seamlessly integrates with other devices and operating systems as well.

Teacher Visibility Into Student Devices

With GoGuardian, teachers can monitor student browsing during lessons to see which websites students are visiting and what they are working on. This provides visibility into how school devices are being used and helps teachers understand whether students are engaged with the lesson or distracted by other content. 

Tab Management and Classroom Controls

Teachers can close distracting tabs remotely during instruction and lock screens to ensure students are paying attention during important moments. These controls help keep students focused on the lesson without requiring the teacher to walk around the classroom managing each device individually.

Safety Alerts for Concerning Behavior

GoGuardian detects risky searches and identifies online language patterns that may indicate harmful intent. If the app detects concerning activity, it alerts school staff so they can assess the situation and take appropriate action.

3. Bark for Schools

Bark focuses on monitoring digital communication for safety concerns on multiple platforms. Schools use Bark to detect harmful conversations and online threats within the tools students use daily.

Monitoring School Communication Platforms

Bark has a monitoring feature that can scan school email accounts and shared documents to identify bullying, harassment, or threatening messages. Rather than acting as an isolated monitoring tool, the system runs constant communication checks across the platform that students use for schoolwork.

AI-based Threat Detection

Bark uses machine learning to analyze communication patterns and identify self-harm, threats, and harassment activities. Its AI can also identify language patterns that might be overlooked and flag messages for review before they become serious issues. 

Privacy-Conscious Monitoring

Bark only alerts staff when potential issues are detected, rather than flagging every message for review. This approach reduces alerts for the team for administrators while still catching genuine safety concerns. Staff receive notifications only when the system identifies activity that warrants attention. 

4. Gaggle

Gaggle focuses on monitoring student communication and shared content to detect threats and harmful behaviour early. Many schools use Gaggle for its communication-monitoring features, especially elementary schools serving K-12.

Monitoring Student Emails and Documents

Gaggle has a feature that allows staff to review activities in students’ email accounts and monitor any shared documents and collaboration tools. The system can also track what students are communicating with each other and the content they are creating or sharing.

AI and Human Safety Review

Gaggle features an automated scanning feature that helps identify any concerning content, but human reviews verify alerts before notifying schools. This combination of technology and human judgment helps prevent false alarms while ensuring that real threats are caught early.

Emergency Escalation System  

Gaggle sends immediate alerts for serious threats or self-harm indicators so schools can respond quickly when the system detects language suggesting immediate danger. Administrators receive notifications that prioritise the most critical situations. 

5. Securly

Securly provides web filtering and student safety monitoring tools designed to help schools maintain a safe digital environment. This platform focuses on both preventing access to harmful content and identifying concerning behavior. 

Internet Filtering and Policy Control

Securly blocks inappropriate websites and allows schools to customize filtering policies for different user groups and age levels. Administrators set rules to align with their school’s specific safety priorities and educational goals, with customizable options helping them tailor filters to their unique needs.

Student Well-Being Alerts

Securly helps to detect searches related to mental health concerns that need immediate attention. The system then alerts school staff when concerning patterns appear. If students repeatedly search for topics that are related to self-harm or any crisis situation that needs attention, the system notifies parties such as counselors and administrators who can offer support. 

Parent and School Collaboration Tools

Securly provides reporting tools that give parents visibility into their child’s device usage at home and school. This shared information encourages families and schools to work together to create a safe technology use rather than treating it as solely the school’s responsibility. 

How to Choose the Right Tool

Schools use technology in different ways, so one monitoring tool will not work for everyone. You’ll want to look at the team behind the tools and the digital product design agency that built the system. Some agencies specialize in security, while others prioritize real-time visibility into student activities. 

Understand Your School’s Main Concern 

Start by identifying the biggest safety issue. Do you need to block harmful websites? Do you need to prevent risky searches before they happen? Do you need anti-bullying software?  Knowing the main problem you’re facing makes choosing the right platform much easier.

Think About Classroom Use

If students use laptops or tablets during lessons, teachers may need tools that show what students are doing on their screens. This can help teachers guide students back to the lesson if they become distracted.

Check Filtering and Alerts

Good monitoring tools should allow schools to control which websites students can access. They also send alerts when searches or messages suggest a safety concern. You’ll want to choose a software that’s highly customizable so your team can manage more effectively.

Conclusion

Devices are now part of almost every classroom. They help students learn, research, and communicate. But they also need proper supervision, and these monitoring tools are incredibly helpful for teachers and administrators alike. When schools choose the right technology and use it responsibly, they can keep digital learning safer for students.

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