Web filtering

As the internet becomes an increasingly significant tool in education, it is important that students have access to safe and appropriate material.

All Queensland state schools have a web filtering system – it is used on school computers and on the laptops that are issued to students.

How does web filtering work?

Web filtering is the process of blocking student access to websites and activities that have been deemed inappropriate.

It helps to protect students against:

• inappropriate webpages
• spyware and malware
• insecure instant messaging
• peer-to-peer sessions
• scams and identity theft.

When students attempt to access a website on a school device (either at school or home), the filtering system automatically checks its content – it is then either available or blocked.

Although web filtering is useful, it is not a substitute for supervising your child.

Web filtering at school and at home

At school, students cannot visit websites such as:

• social networking sites e.g. Facebook
• open/mixed content sites e.g. YouTube
• chat sites e.g. imo.im
• internet telephony e.g. Skype
• media sharing e.g. Flickr.

Web filtering is less restrictive when students use their school-issued laptop at home.

At home, students can access:

• blogs and personal sites
• chat/instant messaging e.g. imo.im
• internet telephony e.g. Skype
• media sharing e.g. Flickr
• file storage or online sharing e.g. Dropbox
• software downloads.

Web filtering for students

There are two levels of filtering: high (more restrictive) and medium (less restrictive). Students automatically have a high level of filtering while at school.

Students can have access to the medium level at home but only with their school and parent/caregivers permission.

See levels of filtering to see what is and isn’t blocked in these levels.

A site I want is blocked

Speak to your teacher if you think a website you want to access should not be blocked. Your school will investigate the issue and get back to you with an outcome.

I own a website that is blocked by Education Queensland

If you own a website that is blocked by Education Queensland and you don’t think it should be you can contact your school and they will submit a request to have it reviewed. School contact details are available by phoning 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or searching the schools directory.

More information

More information on web filtering is available.

Contact your school for more information. School contact details are available by phoning 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or searching the schools directory.