Internet Filtering

  • Active teacher supervision is the single most effective method to ensure students' safe use of the Internet.
  • Filtering technology is strongly recommended for all school computers with Internet access to assist the teacher in this critical responsibility.
  • Filtering software should be regularly updated to maintain an acceptable level of protection.

Filtering is a technological solution, and as such, cannot be expected to be a perfect answer to the problems it attempts to address.Filtering systems will be most effective when they are incorporated as part of a comprehensive strategy that also includes active teacher supervision, consideration of the visibility of the computer screens, education on appropriate uses, consistent application of your Acceptable Use Policy, and maintenance of the filtering software, updates and reports.

Some filtering products contain a list of in-appropriate sites that must be constantly updated to stay current.Other use an Artificial Intelligence approach to judge content. Some of the latest offerings will even do analysis of photographs to judge amount of skin-tone. These products may not have to be updated constantly, but will also lead to blocking of some sites that you may not want blocked. Any system will need fine-tuning to your particular requirements and will require some effort to be effective. Here is a specific case study of a school system that went through a process to implement a successful filtering strategy.

GetNetWise is a great site that encourages the involvement of parents/teachers in student’s on-line activities. As well as providing a comprehensive listing of filtering and other safety products, they also provide a tool to help select the product offering the features you want. The Google Directory provides a lengthy list of resources to help in safety issues. Here are a few other links to sites offering filtering products and information.

Software 4 parents Safer Internet

Web content may not be the only filtering you will want to put in place. If your school offers e-mail to its students, or your staff, you might want to consider filtering your e-mail feed as well. Spam (unsolicited e-mail sent by mass-mailing schemes) is fast becoming one of the largest issues that the IT industry is facing today. Attempts are being taken to fight it by the legislative approach and the technological approach. Products (such as SurfControl, SpamAssassin) can be used to filter out spam much like web content filters work. Other services (such as MailWise. Intellireach Hosted) work by having all your e-mail re-directed to pass through the filtering process without any software on your site.

 

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