Schools Can Use Web Filtering Software to Block Websites on Student Computers

It would be impossible for any instructor to monitor every online activity in which every one of his or her students engage. This is why schools will block websites on student computers with software programs that can be customized for the specific need of a given school.

These programs offer schools the ability to monitor, filter and control the websites students can bring up on their computers. There are a number of reasons to do this, including preventing viruses from entering the network, to make sure that the next user of a shared computer doesn’t access the same “bad” site the previous user did, and, of course, to keep students focused on learning. Schools that use Internet filtering software to block websites on student computers accomplish all of this.

But monitoring software doesn’t just block websites on student computers. It also monitors file transfers, news, chat, e-mail and instant messaging – all of which take up valuable class time and can lead to other problems like cyber bullying as well as those discussed above. Additionally, this software has custom controls to protect against intentional and accidental data leaks or dissemination of confidential information.

Other advantages of Internet monitoring software that blocks websites on student computers include:

• Administrators can track how much time users are spending online
• All text from user communications can be restored and read
• Depending on the software, administrators have access various customizable reports that can run automatically or on a schedule
• The software is designed to not be affected if there are application changes to the school’s network
• Visibility is provided to all links users have visited

Some may consider all of this monitoring a breach of privacy on the part of instructors and school administrators. But students must keep in mind that the computer systems they’re using are not their private systems – they belong to the school, and the school is giving students the opportunity to use them for the purposes for which they were intended. To block websites on student computers or to monitor their activity is well within the rights of a school.

To sum up, there are a variety of software applications available that any school can use to block websites, monitor user activity in e-mails, chat, instant messaging and other tasks, and help keep the network clean and safe. The biggest payoff, however, is that students will spend more time focusing on school work instead of web joy riding.