The internet has transformed the world of learning. Children can access information more easily than ever before, and online literacy is a skill that no person should be without. However, every school and every parent must be aware that keeping children safe online is a challenge to which they must rise.
Apart from addressing concerns about cyber-bullying, scams, and online sexual predators, schools must protect the sensitive information they store on their own databases. Fortunately, technological solutions are available, but vigilance is still necessary. The following points outline the methods schools employ to enable children to benefit from internet use while minimising risks.
Effective Policies
An online safety policy for schools governs the ways users should promote online safety. It contains guidelines for appropriate online behaviour and covers elements like cyberbullying, data privacy, social media and responsible usage. Reporting channels are established, and clear procedures are in place for handling issues that are reported.
Schools share this policy with staff members and students, ensuring that everyone is aware of the expected online behaviour, knows what to do if things go wrong, and understands the consequences of non-compliance. Naturally, parents should also be involved, and most parents will not only be interested in what schools are doing to protect their children, but also in what they can do to help.
Additional policies will govern how staff members work with data and how they can help keep it safe. Each person with access to sensitive data must be trained to minimise security risks and identify signs that something may be amiss.
Filtering
Blocking access to harmful content is a logical first step toward ensuring online safety in schools, and filtering is a helpful tool in achieving this goal. Recent advances have made it possible to do this far more thoroughly and easily than ever before. Filtering methods include:
- DNS and URL filtering examine domain names and block potentially harmful URLs.
- Content-aware filtering takes this a step further. It analyses content, including images and text, blocking access to inappropriate sites. This method can work in real time, checking sites as soon as students try to access them.
Although filtering is, by and large, effective, educators must remain alert for anything that slips through the net. For example, tech-savvy students may find ways to bypass filtering. There is also a delicate balance between censoring harmful content and allowing students access to resources that may help them obtain the information and support they need.
Monitoring
Online privacy is important to adults, but schools must also protect their students, which means balancing privacy concerns against online risks. Monitoring methods are used, and they can identify patterns pointing to risky or harmful behaviour. Methods include:
- Keyword monitoring: identifying specific words or phrases that could lead children to negative or dangerous content.
- AI monitoring: Purpose-trained AI can spot online patterns that may indicate a risk of bullying, self-harm, or violence.
- Reporting and auditing: Ensuring that filtering and monitoring are working as they should, regular reports can be analysed to verify compliance and online safety.
Secure Networks
With children’s safety and personal data at stake, schools must implement robust network security. Since every device that uses a network can represent an entry point for malware, it will be important to segment the network so that the most sensitive data is kept away from the network students use.
Network security is further strengthened through encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, secure Wi-Fi, software updates, and asset management. Staff members and students receive training on safe internet use, and those with access to sensitive data are subject to strict device usage policies.
Data Backup and Recovery
Despite all these measures, it is always best to have a plan in place, assuming the worst can happen. Data backup and recovery can help schools restore their systems after a cyberattack, in the event of hardware failures, or in the aftermath of disasters. With an effective plan in place, it is possible to restore systems quickly, minimising disruption.
Training for Teachers
Teachers must be aware of the risks children face online, know how to identify signs of trouble, and understand how to respond to situations in which children have been harmed. For example, they may find themselves having to address cyberbullying or deal with children who have been exposed to inappropriate content. This may occur outside of the school’s safe networks, but teachers must still know how to address the consequences.
Training For Students
Training for students must be age-appropriate. The guidance from the Department for Education (DfE) for teaching online safety in schools also provides resources to help teachers navigate the challenging task of discussing sensitive topics with their students.
There are other resources, too. For example, the BBC has shared a series of videos that help primary school teachers present online safety topics. The scope is large. Children must learn about scams and phishing, learn how to maintain a healthy self-image, understand online friendships, and know how to deal with cyberbullying.
From resisting overt or subtle persuasion such as that seen in addictive pay-to-play games to dealing with body confidence issues and social media etiquette, there is much to learn. The DfE’s guidance emphasises the importance of helping children assess what they encounter online. They should be able to recognise both online and offline risks, and understand when and how to seek assistance.
Creating A Supportive Environment
Online safety is an important issue, and schools can work to create a supportive environment in which the dialogue is open and children know who to turn to for advice. In today’s world, helping children to become responsible online citizens equips them for the present and their future.
Online Safety Resources for Schools
Apart from the DfE’s guidance, there are several excellent resources teachers can turn to. Among these, you will find lesson plans, videos, posters, and more.
- UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC)
- Childnet
- NCA-CEOP (National Crime Agency)
- NSPCC Learning
Will children still make mistakes online? Undoubtedly. However, they can be prepared, and schools are doing sterling work in this regard.
Advantex and Online Safety For Schools
Education prepares children to navigate the grown-up world, and learning about online safety is key. Nevertheless, schools face additional challenges. If children do access harmful content, this should not occur on the school’s network. Besides this, schools must protect the personal data of children in their care.
As part of its role in providing internet connectivity for schools, Advantex offers end-to-end solutions. Allow us to help your school with fast, reliable internet. Implement solutions that prioritise students’ online safety, and choose us to protect your crucial data. Contact us today for more information.
