Keeping students Safe when they search for content on the internet

Scotch College prioritises the safety of its students when they're using the internet for learning and research. To this end, Scotch College utilizes a combination of Google's SafeSearch, firewalls, and additional content filters based on the age of our students. For example a year 1 student does not get the same filters as year 12. An explanation of how this works is below.

SafeSearch: This feature acts like a vigilant librarian in the college's digital library - the internet. When a student uses a college computer to look up information, SafeSearch is active, working to ensure that the search results are free from explicit content, like adult material or violent imagery.

Firewalls: Imagine a strong, protective wall around Scotch College's digital property. That's essentially what a firewall is. It's a system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from the college's private network. Firewalls can block certain websites altogether, especially those known for harmful content or cyber threats.

Additional Content Filters: These are like extra vigilant teachers trained to spot different types of inappropriate content. Scotch College can set these filters to block certain types of content based on the students' age levels. For example, a filter could be set to block social media sites, gaming sites, or video streaming platforms. These filters can be customized extensively, allowing the college to block or allow specific websites and to adjust the settings for different age groups.

This combination of SafeSearch, firewalls, and additional content filters is how Scotch College creates a safe online environment for students. Each layer of this digital safety net focuses on a different aspect of internet safety, and together, they help to ensure that students can use the internet as a tool for learning while minimizing exposure to inappropriate or harmful content.

However, it's important to remember that no system is perfect, and these protective measures should always be complemented by education about digital citizenship. This empowers students to understand and navigate the digital world responsibly and safely, which is a crucial skill in our increasingly connected world.