Author: Bob Hand
Part of every educator’s duty is to ensure that learners don’t have access to harmful or explicit material. For as long as the internet has been a part of K-12 education, web content filtering technology has seen use in public schools. In fact, it’s a legal requirement; the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) mandates that schools use content filtering technology in addition to enforcing an internet safety policy and monitoring student activity.
Traditionally, districts have implemented content filtering through hardware solutions. In recent years, however, K-12 schools have begun to abandon web filtering appliances, relying instead on content filtering software. Given the shift to the cloud, this is understandable; when many users are accessing sensitive academic/student information on a wide variety of devices, hardware solutions can be too limited to adequately protect learners. For instance, school bus Wi-Fi programs require content filtering to protect students.
If your district hasn’t made the switch, you may be unsure where to start learning more about these applications. Here is an overview of four popular content filtering options:
Traditionally, districts have implemented content filtering through hardware solutions. In recent years, however, K-12 schools have begun to abandon web filtering appliances, relying instead on content filtering software. Given the shift to the cloud, this is understandable; when many users are accessing sensitive academic/student information on a wide variety of devices, hardware solutions can be too limited to adequately protect learners. For instance, school bus Wi-Fi programs require content filtering to protect students.
If your district hasn’t made the switch, you may be unsure where to start learning more about these applications. Here is an overview of four popular content filtering options:
K12USA Software
For those looking to meet CIPA requirements, SecureSchool by K12USA is designed to help educators do just that. It consists of traditional content filtering hardware, but can supplemented with some useful software, such as SpamTrakker (to reduce instances of spam and malware) and SchoolBits (for CIPA-compliant student email). The developers describe the product as “a multitasking Swiss Army knife, featuring a transparent proxy server, a firewall and caching server, and lots of options for customization.”
There are many options for users when it comes to blocking specific sites. For instance, in addition to blocking explicit content, educators can prohibit access to social media sites. This makes protecting students and minimizing distractions a snap. There are multiple options, as noted on K12USA’s site, including:
SecureSchool, like many content filtering software options, is E-rate eligble. Pricing varies on the number of learners at your school, and you can request a quote from the developer’s website linked above. If you want to request a 30-day trial at your school, you can do so at the SecureSchool link above.
There are many options for users when it comes to blocking specific sites. For instance, in addition to blocking explicit content, educators can prohibit access to social media sites. This makes protecting students and minimizing distractions a snap. There are multiple options, as noted on K12USA’s site, including:
- URL and domain filtering
- Content-phrase filtering
- MIME filtering
- File-extension filtering
- Inside and outside proxy blocking
- Time restrictions
SecureSchool, like many content filtering software options, is E-rate eligble. Pricing varies on the number of learners at your school, and you can request a quote from the developer’s website linked above. If you want to request a 30-day trial at your school, you can do so at the SecureSchool link above.
Securly
Securly offers many services to educators looking to protect students, including web filtering to block harmful content, an auditing program that can alert educators/parents to potentially dangerous behavior, and a parent portal to give guardians a deeper look into potential issues. This cloud-based platform allows educators to restrict access to potentially harmful content, but that’s only one component of what Securly has to offer.
Using AI, a tool named “Auditor” will examine internet activity to find signs of harassment and indications that a child may be having issues with self-harm or depression. Educators and parents can enable real-time alerts for student behavior that may need to be addressed.
Two additional services offered by Securly are 24 and Tiplines:
If you’re interested in Securly, you can get an estimated cost based on your number of students. You can also access a free trial if you want to explore its features in more detail. Note that there is a minimum cost of $1,200 for a 1-year contract, so smaller schools may need to explore other options.
Using AI, a tool named “Auditor” will examine internet activity to find signs of harassment and indications that a child may be having issues with self-harm or depression. Educators and parents can enable real-time alerts for student behavior that may need to be addressed.
Two additional services offered by Securly are 24 and Tiplines:
- 24: As described by the developers, the 24 team “is a group of trained analysts from a variety of backgrounds, including psychology and sociology.” They are always available to address urgent needs when student online behavior may demonstrate deeper problems. Social work can be a difficult field, and this resource could be a help to school districts in low socioeconomic areas.
- Tiplines: This service works as a tip line for students needing to report problems that may be affecting them. Experts at Securly, along with specialized AI, examines reports and investigates them, letting school officials know with real threats emerge.
If you’re interested in Securly, you can get an estimated cost based on your number of students. You can also access a free trial if you want to explore its features in more detail. Note that there is a minimum cost of $1,200 for a 1-year contract, so smaller schools may need to explore other options.
Smoothwall
Smoothwall also takes a multifaceted approach to online security in schools. It utilizes content-aware filtering and firewalls to thoroughly examine web pages, which means it examines a site’s security, domain, page assets, and text before making a filtering decision. Like other solutions in this list, Smoothwall offers a tool that can detect instances of cyberbullying, depression, and student violence. Their RADAR tool can also alert users in real time when a student’s internet behavior could indicate deeper issues or when urgent action is required.
This is particularly helpful for school districts in rural areas where, as noted by the University of Nevada, Reno, “many rural communities are left with a dearth of qualified social workers.” Tools like this can fill gaps in student services.
A widely-touted feature by the developers is its Google integration. Users can block students from accessing games and Flash media; force students to use Safe Search; and prevent them from seeing potentially offensive images in Google Image Search previews.
Pricing for Smoothwall also depends on the number of students and devices that will be used. Prospective buyers can request a quote here or request a 30-day evaluation of the product.
This is particularly helpful for school districts in rural areas where, as noted by the University of Nevada, Reno, “many rural communities are left with a dearth of qualified social workers.” Tools like this can fill gaps in student services.
A widely-touted feature by the developers is its Google integration. Users can block students from accessing games and Flash media; force students to use Safe Search; and prevent them from seeing potentially offensive images in Google Image Search previews.
Pricing for Smoothwall also depends on the number of students and devices that will be used. Prospective buyers can request a quote here or request a 30-day evaluation of the product.
Untangle
Untangle NG Firewall is designed to address the network security needs of modern classrooms, offering educators and administrators tools including application control, SSL inspection, and bandwidth management. The tool’s browser-based interface is designed to allow users to easily set new policies and access detailed data reports. Schools using BYOD policies can explore NG Firewall for help with getting a handle on rogue applications, as well as determining and avoiding malware distribution points.
Overall, it’s a useful tool for blocking harmful content and protecting school assets/data.
In addition to combating key security issues, such as open Wi-Fi challenges and protecting student data, Untangle emphasizes that this product is ideal for managing internet traffic at your school. The developer states that the software enables “Optimized bandwidth for mission-critical traffic (online assessments, web-based learning tools, etc.)” and that it can be used to restrict access to high-bandwidth content.
You can request a demo of NG Firewall at the link above, as well as check the cost for the number of students/devices you’ll need to support to see if it is a good fit for your school.
Overall, it’s a useful tool for blocking harmful content and protecting school assets/data.
In addition to combating key security issues, such as open Wi-Fi challenges and protecting student data, Untangle emphasizes that this product is ideal for managing internet traffic at your school. The developer states that the software enables “Optimized bandwidth for mission-critical traffic (online assessments, web-based learning tools, etc.)” and that it can be used to restrict access to high-bandwidth content.
You can request a demo of NG Firewall at the link above, as well as check the cost for the number of students/devices you’ll need to support to see if it is a good fit for your school.
These are just a handful of the content filtering software solutions available to those looking to protect students. Have you had any experience with these applications? What content filtering option does your district use? Let us know in the comments below!
About the Author
Bob Hand is a blogger from Boise, ID. He studied English with an emphasis on Secondary Education at the University of South Carolina, and continues to keep a pulse on current issues in education. His hobbies include reading and collecting vinyl records. You can follow him on Twitter @bob_hand567.
About the Author
Bob Hand is a blogger from Boise, ID. He studied English with an emphasis on Secondary Education at the University of South Carolina, and continues to keep a pulse on current issues in education. His hobbies include reading and collecting vinyl records. You can follow him on Twitter @bob_hand567.
