When you can see it, you can stop it.
Relying on filtering to spot students at risk
means you will miss students at risk.

Filtering stops your students accessing harmful or inappropriate content. But it cannot see what is done, said or shared across their digital lives.

Digital monitoring does.

Web filtering vs. digital monitoring

What your
web filter sees

Harmful websites your students visit or search for

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What digital monitoring sees

Harmful, vulnerable or inappropriate conversations or messaging across Docs, Word, email, chat, Teams, spreadsheets, forums, slides, chatbot conversations, self-talk and sharing

Grooming

Bullying

Suicide ideation

Non-consensual image sharing 

If digital monitoring is not part of your safeguarding strategy, you are missing students at risk.

The hidden dangers uncovered by digital monitoring

Digital monitoring alerts you to signs of harm, distress or intent in what students are typing or sharing online, beyond the search bar.

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  • Suicide notes
  • Cries for help
  • Manifestos

  • Bullying
  • Sexting
  • Racism/sexism/discriminatory language
  • Discussions of weapons

  • Bullying
  • Plans to commit crimes
  • Scheduled gang meet-ups
  • Drug deals
  • Inappropriate conversations between adults and children/grooming

  • Discussions of depression and suicide
  • Eating disorder tips and reinforcements
  • Grooming
  • Extremism/radicalisation
  • Porn
  • CSAM

  • Inappropriate searches that are deleted — often cries for help.

  • Sexually inappropriate conversations
  • Non-professional advice on weight loss, mental health, etc.
  • Creation of CSAM

The 7 imperatives for digital monitoring success:
What every MAT & school safeguarder needs to know

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Download our paper now to learn...

  • Why early detection is even more critical in MATs & schools.
  • 26 examples of what monitoring detects that filtering does not.
  • Why digital monitoring is critical for KCSIE early detection compliance.
  • The 7 factors essential to digital monitoring success.
  • The 2 pitfalls to avoid.

Download now

The evidence is clear

In 2024, Smoothwall Monitor's team of moderators alerted a DSL
to a school student at serious risk every 2 minutes.

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minutes

A student suspected to be involved in a serious cyberbullying, bullying or violent incident — every 5 minutes

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minutes

A student suspected to be involved in a serious sexual incident — every 17 minutes

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minutes

A student facing a very serious risk to health or life — every 41 minutes

0

hours

A student involved in a suspected terrorism alert — every 2 hours

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hours

A student suspected to be involved in a serious grooming incident — every 3.5 hours

Hear what other Safeguarding Leaders are saying

Steve-Goad-Monitor

Steve Goad, Assistant Principle & DSL and Steve Downing, Director of IT at Tyne Coast Academy explain how digital monitoring has allowed them to remove guesswork and keep pace with student digital risks.

Andy Eastcrabbe speaks about Smoothwall Monitor

Andy Eastcrabbe, IT Manager at Hipperholme Grammar School talks about the impact of Smoothwall Monitor. 

video-testimonial-photocards-Ann Rose

Computing and E-Safety Lead, Ann Rose, shares her school's experience of Smoothwall Monitor.

Webinar recording

How DSLs Can See and Stop Students at Risk Online with Digital Monitoring
with Helen McKay of St Mary's Catholic High School
and Gabi Walshaw of Smoothwall

We were recently joined by Helen McKay, DSL at St Mary’s Catholic School, who shared how digital monitoring has made a real difference in her school.

Helen spoke openly about the risks she’s now able to see that previously went unnoticed, and why having the right monitoring technology in place has become more important than ever for protecting students online.

Book a call with a digital monitoring expert

Our Smoothwall team has helped thousands of safeguarding leaders to successfully implement monitoring for many years.

They can show you how it works, answer any questions, as well as share the life-changing impact it has had in other schools and MATs.

Simply fill in the form and we'll get straight back to you to arrange an informal chat.

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