How can schools use technology to enhance student safety during emergencies while balancing privacy, equity, and a positive learning environment?

Securly is a monitoring system that schools use to help keep students safe. By using technology to track student data, it allows teachers and parents to know that their students/children are protected. Securly’s main goal is to highlight the importance of safety and wellness; by filtering the internet, enhancing online safety, monitoring screens, and using AI to determine trends to help detect cyberbullying, self harm, etc.

Youtube Securly

Why it’s Useful

Securly uses AI to help track students’ online activity and blocks inappropriate content. As well as monitoring bullying and searches that could present as a ‘red flag,’ such as being a potential risk to oneself (at risk students).

An online hall pass and a guest check-in and check-out is used to help keep campuses safe and allows schools to know where, when, and who is on campus, allowing extra protection for its students and teachers.

Parents, administrators, and teachers can have a more sound of mind knowing that their students are being protected.

Connection to Teaching

Using this platform allows for a more focused environment due to filtering certain websites or games on the internet and lets teachers monitor students screens, helping them stay on task. Educators and parents know that students are able to be productive during the school day and at home, without worry of inappropriate content. To add, it can create a positive classroom environment where students don’t have to worry about bullying or negative comments due to social media, etc. Thus creating better relationships.

A few more examples:

  • Less time managing students devices
  • Redirect students
  • Identify students who may need more support in their learning
UK Safer Internet Centre

Pros

The pros of Securly are quite high such as early intervention for students who have experienced cyberbullying or need help with mental health etc. As well as filtering the internet through the use of AI, parental access, accessible to all districts, and allows for teacher management.

These benefits allow for the safety of the students in and outside of the schools, ensuring their mental and physical wellbeing.

Cons & Risks

The negative side to Securly is that through monitoring students online activity, it could raise some privacy concerns and not allowing for autonomy. Although another argument is that during school hours it is up to the school and what can be banned on the internet.

Equity concerns due to students who may not have access to their own devices and thus would be monitored more due to usage. Some websites may be filtered out unintentionally, due to AI such as 2SLGBTQI+ topics, mental health, social justice issues, politics, etc. Not allowing students their privacy or autonomy.

This can also lead to being too dependent on technology as AI can be wrong. Lastly, the cost of Securly and maintenance could be a negative factor with the platform.

Best Practices & Tips

How to best use Securly, tips and tricks:

  • Can be used as a support tool – Know what students are researching and determine if they need extra help. For example, if they’re searching up how to solve certain math equations, the teacher can intervene
  • Properly explain to parents about what Securly is and how it is used to help students – Have the parents sign a waiver and confidential form that explains what Securly is and how it works. Allows for parents to know what is happening in their students’ education
  • Securly prioritizes privacy – Understand that Securly is used to ensure that students safety is a priority and therefore their privacy is kept confidential and only shared with administrators, teachers, and parents
  • Make sure that an equity lens is used – Be aware that certain topics may be blocked or filtered. Be able to have conversations with students if they are asking why. As well, students who don’t have technology at home may be monitored more as they may bring it home with them
  • Allow support systems to have access to Securly, such as learning services or school counsellors – This allows for support systems to have immediate access to concerning patterns and are trained of what to look out for. This helps support students
  • Have a healthy balance between Autonomy and monitoring – Knowing the difference between monitoring for concerning behaviour or ‘red flags,’ and allowing students the autonomy of being their own individuals when it comes to technology

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