Filtering issue using Google and Bing?

[snagrat]

I have this filtering issue with both SWGfL and Schools Broadband

 

Basically you can search for "sex" on both Google and Bing. If you look at images, although not nude, the results are not appropriate for pupils.

 

It was discovered when a pupil searched for "string" and looked at the images.

 

Another issue I have is with Lightspeed (via Schools Broadband) is that searching directly on Bing will allow you to block search keywords. However if you go to bing, then image and then try searching it will not block the search.

 

Can anyone confirm this is an issue with them as well?

[SWGfL_Official]

Hello,

 

I hope that I can help to explain a little about what SWGfL does to try and ensure that the risk of exposure to inappropriate material is minimised and image searches in general.

 

All SWGfL connections benefit from essential safety and security services, the core filter includes filter policies that do not allow access to any illegal content or content that is marked by the IWF (Internet Watch Foundation) as being illegal. Any attempt to access this material on a SWGfL connection is not only blocked but also logged; our team then works, uniquely, with the regional police forces and the school to handle any such incident.

 

Each school has complete control over the content that can be accessed (with the exception of course of the illegal material explained above). Access can be managed locally through the filtering dashboard and can be used to block particular searches. (If you are not sure how to do this then the service desk t 0845 307 7870 can help). This is much quicker and affects a change immediately. Sadly, it is a difficult thing with which to keep pace as there is the potential for new images to proliferate daily. No filtering system is infallible.

 

Google Images is an unmoderated image library, although does have an integrated filtering, more commonly known as ‘Safe Search’. Google Safe Search is set to on as default to all SWGfL connections; schools have to opt out if they wish to view search results that do not filter out ‘explicit results’. We work closely with Google to feedback on the effectiveness of safe search and whilst generally results are good, one or two ‘inappropriate results’ have been returned and we block these as they’re found as well as report them directly to google - some are just new and Google simply don’t know about them so if you come across them you can tell us about them and we can block them. If you send the URL to [email protected] we’ll add them to the list.

 

Just like Google, Bing is an unmoderated search engine, which was blocked by SWGfL (along with Yahoo Images) a couple of years ago following an issue with inappropriate thumbnail images being returned. Schools of course are free to unfilter Bing and Yahoo and Safe search settings can be disabled. If schools come across any inappropriate content they can tell us about them (send the URL to [email protected]) and we can block them centrally for all schools.

 

Pages are assessed and either allowed or blocked by a feature within the content filter called Active Adapt page-scanning technology. This provides real-time protection, assessing the actual content within a webpage and evaluating the ‘risk level’ associated with displaying the results. As I’m sure you are aware online content is changing constantly, and this technology allows us to assess the content contained within a page (rather than simply a URL, search term or individual word or phrase). Words and terms are scored, both positively and negatively; the content within a page is assessed and scored accordingly. So for example, if a page returns content with a high score for inappropriate content the page will be filtered, however if the page content has a low score for inappropriate content the page will be displayed. We don't filter the word ‘sex’ per say but search results will be blocked when the page content is scored as inappropriate.

 

The service is certainly not an iron curtain to keep everything out, it provides schools with the tools to tailor the solution to meet their needs. The filtering dashboard allows schools to choose from a range of filter lists such as ‘Drugs and Substance Abuse List’ or ‘Pornography and Illegal or Age-Restricted Activity List’, to identify individual urls or search terms to block or enable as well as scheduling to meet changing requirements throughout the day or week. Online content changes continually and schools can flag content to the SWGfL that they feel should be blocked or enabled directly via the dashboard or by email to [email protected]. All SWGfL e-safety strategies are framed by research for example, Ofsted’s ‘Safe use of new technologies’ report (http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/safe-use-of-new-technologies) recommends that children’s settings that lock down access, do not provide the right environment to learn how to make good judgements around risk.

 

We advocate the use of moderated image libraries such as the SWGfL Media Gallery which can be accessed via Swiggle.org.uk - Home a free safer search engine aimed at key stage 2 students.

 

It is worth considering that despite the varying layers of technical intervention, there is an effective route through education and monitoring to influence the behaviour of pupils and hence decrease their vulnerability. Just as with any other aspect of behaviour management in school, having clear messages about conducting these searches on school machines; revisiting sanctions and accountability, reporting issues when they arise and having parents support you in that process is often more culturally effective than technical intervention. We’ve developed a whole range of online safety tools, one of which is our multi-award winning 360 degree safe tool for schools that supports and underpins our filtering. We recommend that schools foster a holistic approach to online safety that develops the right culture beyond the school and that goes beyond filtering.

 

We have produced a free digital literacy resource for schools complete with long/medium term plans and detailed lesson plans that run from FS to KS 5. You can find full details here Digital Literacy - Online Safety Services Specific lessons that deal with the inappropriate searching / dealing with indecent images can be found at:

 

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/lesson/staying-safe-online-2-3

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/lesson/using-keywords-2-3

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/lesson/rings-responsibility-4-5

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/lesson/ups-and-downs-digital-life-6-8

 

These vary in complexity and age appropriate.

 

We've also produced a new publication to explore how we can strike the balance between ensuring children and young people are empowered to use online resources and still meet our safeguarding obligations. Picture Perfect is available here - Picture Perfect - Managing Image Search Engines | SWGfL and explores

Understanding search technology, Smarter filtering and control, Providing the right environment, Sharpening up search skills, OMG! What do we do now? Education and the bigger picture

 

If you think we can be of any further help or assistance please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we can offer a broad range of staff development sessions around online safety, unique tools many of which are free and can work directly with pupils in the classroom, please contact [email protected] or call 0845 601 3203 for more information.

 

Thanks Julia Adamson, SWGfL Education Manager

[SchoolsBroadband]

Hi @snagrat,

 

do you have a ticket open with us? if so can you PM it to me and I'll check it out for you?

 

Also are you using our HTTPS proxy / man in the middle option for google as this will allow Lightspeed to put the big blue X on images it deems to be in appropriate even after google safe search has been enforced.

 

Thanks

 

Dave

Edited April 14, 2015 by SchoolsBroadband

[snagrat]

Hi Dave.

 

I called yesterday am still waiting a call back

 

Thanks

[snagrat]

Which setting is the HTTPS Proxy on Lightspeed?

[SchoolsBroadband]

Which setting is the HTTPS Proxy on Lightspeed?

 

ah we sent a guide out on this a while ago to all schools when google stopped supporting the no ssl option correctly. You basically need to send https traffic destined to google to the lightspeed proxy so it can do the man in the middle attack to then filter within google (including sub sites which you can put in the URL filter).

 

If you can PM me your email address i'll dig out the guide and send it to you. This I believe will fix the issue for google. I'm unsure on bing off hand.

 

Thanks

 

Dave