School web filters are a fundamental requirement for K-12 schools and districts. But did you know a school web filter can do much more than just block inappropriate content? 

Web filters were initially intended to protect students from harmful websites and content, and this remains a critical function. However, many web filters in use today haven’t evolved past this basic capability. This is a missed opportunity. 

Because a web filter is a fundamental part of the school’s network and consumes so much data, it has the potential to do much more. A school web filter can help schools teach digital citizenship, give parents’ access to device controls, and create a data-driven school culture. 

Here are a few ways a school web filter with advanced capabilities helps you get the most from your filter investment.

1 | Introduce AI Responsibly with Your School Web Filter

Did you know that a school web filter can be equipped with a generative AI chatbot? AI Chat for Securly Filter is a filter-enabled AI chatbot that helps schools introduce generative AI, while maintaining visibility and control over how students are using it. Similar to how a web filter filters online content, AI Chat provides filtering of students’ AI interactions.

Customizable to your requirements, AI Chat lets you provide guardrails so students learn to use AI responsibly and ethically. You can maintain a watchful eye over students’ AI chats to spot missteps, identify opportunities for additional guidance, and ensure academic integrity is maintained.

2 | Identify Security & Safety Gaps

A school web filter helps students learn how to use the internet safely by preventing them from accessing inappropriate and harmful content. However, a filter alone isn’t enough to teach students how to be responsible digital citizens. Furthermore, they’re bound to misstep sometimes, whether knowingly or innocently. 

With Securly Filter, you gain insight when students are trying to circumvent the filter or are engaging in risky cybersecurity behaviors. You can identify where gaps exist so you can shore them up, whether by reviewing your filter settings, reinforcing security policies, or adding digital citizenship instruction. By proactively addressing these risks, you’re also better positioned to avoid an online safety incident or data breach.

3 | Provide Families with Device Controls

Keeping children safe online isn’t just a school issue; families are also looking for ways to ensure their children have guardrails around technology use. Giving families visibility and control over their child’s school device at home is a game changer for many schools.

With the Securly Home app, families can monitor and limit their students’ screen time. They can also view their child’s recent searches, sites visited, and videos watched on their school-owned device. This provides greater transparency in the school-family relationship and fosters a shared approach to ensuring students’ online safety.

4 | Gain Real-time Insight into Edtech Usage

An advanced school web filter can even provide insights into how education technology is being used. When you know which edtech apps are used most or not at all, you can make data-backed decisions to optimize your technology budget. 

Securly Reveal is a data analytics tool provided with Securly Filter that analyzes usage data and trends for student apps, websites, and devices. You can know for sure how both paid and free resources are used, so you can measure your return on academic achievement and make data-supported renewal decisions.

5 | Proactively Monitor Student Wellness

A school web filter provides a first line of defense against online safety threats. Student wellness monitoring builds on this by helping schools know when students are demonstrating risk signals of bullying, suicidal ideation, depression, violence, and other risk factors.

Securly Aware is AI-powered student wellness monitoring software that analyzes students’ online activities 24/7 for indicators of safety and wellness risks. When signals are detected, designated school staff are alerted. They’re able to investigate and respond swiftly, before a situation gets worse.

6 | Provide a Holistic System of Student Support

By harnessing the data collection potential of your school web filter, you can go beyond blocking content to gaining the insights and actionable intelligence needed to make informed decisions that support student success.

Securly Filter is so much more than a content blocker—it’s the heart of an integrated ecosystem designed to help K-12 districts and schools holistically support their students’ safety, wellness, and engagement.

Isn’t It Time Your School Web Filter Did More than Block Content?

You need web filtering to comply with CIPA. But that’s not all you should expect from a school web filter. Much more than a content blocker, your school web filter should be an integral tool that helps you create a secure, supportive, and enriching educational environment. 

In addition to being one of the easiest to use and customize school web filters, Securly Filter also helps schools:

• Prepare students for the future with an AI chatbot designed for K-12 education
• Detect filter circumvention and cybersecurity risks
• Give families control and visibility when school devices go home
• Make smarter edtech decisions and investments based on usage data
• Build the foundation to prevent student suicide, bullying, and school violence
• Provide a holistic support system so students thrive and reach their highest potential

Ready to get more from your school web filter? Here are some recommended resources:

• Watch the Video: Hear how Chico Unified School District extended student safety beyond web filtering to support students in crisis
• Read the Case Study: Learn how Carbon County School District consolidated student safety efforts with a single, trusted partner
• Explore what’s possible with Securly Filter