Media and technology are at the very center of all our lives today — especially our children’s. The media content they consume and create has a profound impact on their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Now more than ever, they need a trusted guide to help them navigate a world where change is the only constant. -Common Sense Media
Web Filtering
Winnacunnet High School has two levels of Internet traffic filtering. First, we have an in-house appliance that filters Internet traffic, prevents intrusion and detects possible threats to our network. Second, we use a cloud-based service to block traffic to and from websites deemed harmful or inappropriate for school. Our Internet filters apply to school-issued Chromebooks and student GSuite accounts both on and off school premises.
Law: The Children’s Internet Protection Act is a federal law that imposes restrictions on any school or library receiving funding for Internet access. Since Winnacunnet High School receives this funding, we are required to provide filtering in an attempt to limit student access to inappropriate/harmful content online.
Board Policy: The School Board has adopted Board Policy JICL which acknowledges the Children’s Internet Protection Act and confirms the Board’s commitment to protecting access to inappropriate content.
Examples of Blocked Website Categories: Adult / Mature Content, Child Pornography, Dating, Gambling, Hacking, Illegal Drugs, Malicious Outbound, Botnets, Nudity Peer-to-Peer (P2P), Phishing, Pornography, Potentially Unwanted Software, Proxy Avoidance, Scam , SPAM , Spyware, Malware Sources , Suspicious, Unknown, Unmoderated Forums , Violence, Hate, Racism
Exceptions
Category filtering is not an exact science. There may be websites with educational value that are blocked categorically. To provide access to those web sites, WHS Staff can submit requests to whitelist specific URLs. There are also websites in categories that are open that might not be appropriate. These sites can be blacklisted so they are not available to students. WHS staff members or students can make filter requests using this form.
Google SafeSearch
WHS requires Google SafeSearch on all student accounts. SafeSearch filters the results that are returned from a Google search. Students may receive fewer search results due to SafeSearch being turned on. WHS does not control the results that SafeSearch returns. SafeSearch isn’t 100% accurate, but it helps avoid search results containing explicit content.
In addition to these measures, we cover online safety and digital citizenship with all students as part of their Freshman Seminar experience.
Safety Resources
Common Sense Media
Cyberbulling Research Center
Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use
