Websites that needs to be blocked for teachers and students

[genesis]

Hi

 

We are a secondary school and going to move to a new internet filtering system, I am looking for types of websites that needs to be blocked on the filtering system for Staff and Students.

Please can some post, as what needs normally to be blocked for these type of users.

 

Thanks and any help would be great.

[DavePa]

You have websites that are legal issues that should be blocked for ALL users - terrorism, radicalisation, pornography and a whole bunch more. Beyond that there is a wide range of opinions. A secondary will block less than a primary but more than a FE college for example. The problem with blocking sites according to categorisation is that 'games' covers not only sites that should be blocked but includes others that may be acceptable. Youtube is another example - there is a lot of good material there but there is a lot of unacceptable material as well.

 

Summary: Block the legal stuff, make a call based on feedback on most other stuff, the school may wel dictate which categories they want to be blocked.

[Bedders]

Hi Genesis,

 

I work in a Secondary School. Some of the categories that we have blocked include Adult/Sexually explicit content, anything relating to alcohol purchasing, extremism/terrorism/hate speech, gambling, non-educational drugs websites (e.g. Talk To Frank FRANK is allowed), hacking, proxies and translators, dating sites, violence and weapons.

 

I'd also take a look at any Acceptable Use Policies that you have implemented, as these should give you a good starting point.

 

Hope that this helps!

[RichCowell]

Hi

 

We are a secondary school and going to move to a new internet filtering system, I am looking for types of websites that needs to be blocked on the filtering system for Staff and Students.

Please can some post, as what needs normally to be blocked for these type of users.

 

Thanks and any help would be great.

 

Which system are you setting up? Someone may be able to offer more help if they know the system you've chosen...

[Nausing]

Look into NetSupport DNA. we installed it this summer and it's easy as pie.

 

It has a bunch of features including web filter, keyword monitoring etc. YouTube the tool they have an hour demo on it. It's had an upfront cost and then annual support.

[Al_NetSupport]

Look into NetSupport DNA. we installed it this summer and it's easy as pie.

 

It has a bunch of features including web filter, keyword monitoring etc. YouTube the tool they have an hour demo on it. It's had an upfront cost and then annual support.

 

Thanks for the thumbs up Theo. To save too much "googling" the overview of NetSupport DNA on Youtube can be found below . It has links in the description so you can jump to any required topic, including Web Monitoring at 15:30.

 

Al.

[Callum]

I've been told that Ofsted now want to adopt a 'block less, teach more' approach to web filtering. Websites such as Facebook shouldn't be blocked, but rather students should be taught how/when/where to use it.

[elsiegee40]

I've been told that Ofsted now want to adopt a 'block less, teach more' approach to web filtering. Websites such as Facebook shouldn't be blocked, but rather students should be taught how/when/where to use it.

 

For detailed information on what Ofsted is actually looking for ... and it doesn't say this... please see this as the Kent @esafety_officer has been through the framework with a fine tooth comb and taken the time to summarise it

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/e-safety/174069-online-safety-within-inspecting-safeguarding-education-2016-updated-sept-2016-a.html#post1492296

 

EDIT

I have just realised this thread was started in March and revived fir some reason. My comment about reading the above still stands

Edited October 7, 2016 by elsiegee40

[Callum]

Ah right, thanks for the correction. Like I said it's just something I was told recently by a member of staff.