The UKSIC Definitions on ‘Appropriate Monitoring’ Have Changed.

In May 2021 the UK Safer Internet changed its definitions of ‘appropriate monitoring’. It confirmed, what we at Smoothwall have known for some considerable time, that there is, alive and kicking, in every school in the UK, and around the world for that matter, an Iceberg Effect.

There are risks to child wellbeing, health, and safety that can be spotted by DSLs, teachers, and staff with eyes and ears. These are ‘above the line’ risks.

But there are very many more risks ‘below the line’ that reside in the often private digital world that consumes many of our children today and to which adults have no visibility.

What a child says, does, shares or expresses in his/her digital world, in chatrooms, instant messaging, social forums, and more can, and do, provide vital clues when something is wrong.

And unless a school has some form of digital monitoring in place to pick up on these clues and alert them to the risks, they won’t be seen. Or they’ll be seen too late.

The UKSIC has now recognised this risk and placed more emphasis on digital monitoring than ever before.

Smoothwall digitally monitors nearly 1 million students in the UK. That’s 24/7, 365 days a year. The risks we have spotted and shared with DSLs have saved lives. It’s that simple!

Thousands of DSLs have been able to initiate faster interventions to prevent incidents from escalating, as well as remove students from imminent danger. This includes instances of self-harm, cyberbullying, sexual abuse, suicide, grooming, terrorism, drugs, gangs and more. And that’s across all ages. 19% of all serious risks in 2020 were detected amongst primary school children, for example. No child is exempt.

Free online training sessions

Smoothwall is now on a mission to ensure every DSL in UK education is fully informed about digital monitoring. What it is, how it works, what it means for your day-to-day role as a DSL, how it works as part of your safeguarding strategy and more.

We are running a programme of free online training sessions dedicated to each DSL and their school, college or MAT. Our experts will walk you through everything you need to know about digital monitoring.

Hundreds of DSLs, their Heads, and IT colleagues have already had a session in the last few weeks, and we urge you to come forward and take advantage of our knowledge so that you are fully informed and comfortable in your decision-making around this vital technology.

The sessions are free of charge and last approximately 1 hour. To schedule yours please click below.
You can also schedule now for September if that’s more convenient.

Further help

Smoothwall is the leading digital safeguarding provider in UK education. We have been supporting schools, colleges, and more recently, MATs for nearly 2 decades. Thousands of schools in the UK use our solutions to digitally safeguard the students in their care.

For more information about how to maximise your digital safeguarding strategy, please contact us at enquiries@smoothwall.com.
We are happy to answer any questions and help in any way we can.