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Securly Web Filter - Parent FAQ

What is Securly?

Securly is a cloud-based subscription service that offers K-12 Internet content filtering. Websites that students attempt to visit are checked against a list of categorized sites. If the website is found in a prohibited category, the student’s access to the website is blocked. Students have the right to submit a request to have the website unblocked if needed for educational purposes by emailing the Student & Family Help Desk at family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us.

Why is the District Using Securly?

To comply with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), public school districts must take steps to prevent students from accessing obscene or pornographic materials while using district services, district-issued accounts, connectivity or equipment. CIPA compliance is required on all school district devices and services, whether they are in use at school or elsewhere. Thus, Securly fills the need for offsite content filtering only on district-issued Google accounts. 

When is my Student Using Securly?

The following are clear examples of when the filter is active or not:

  • Securly filters by AAPS Google login credentials, not by device.
  • Securly is active on all AAPS owned devices.
  • Securly is not active on any student or family owned device that is not a Chromebook. 
  • When your student is finished with their school work using a family owned Chromebook, simply have your student log out of the learning session and Securly will be disengaged.
  • Online activity is filtered, but not continuously or regularly monitored.

What exactly is being Blocked by Securly?

Our goal with Securly is to block access to the same categories of websites for offsite use as we do for users within the school walls. The blocked categories are:

  • Pornography
  • Drugs
  • Gambling
  • Other Adult content
  • Anonymous Proxies
  • Hate
  • Games (varies by educational use)

What Should not be Blocked by Securly?

Educationally-appropriate online websites should not be blocked, although unintentional misclassification of sites can occur by Securly. Students have the right to submit a request to have a website unblocked if needed for educational purposes by emailing the Student & Family Help Desk at family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us.

Is Securly Fully Effective?

No content filtering solution should be viewed as being 100% accurate or effective. Content filtering does not replace watchful parents at home or vigilant teachers at school. Parents at home should still exercise caution and use normal awareness in monitoring their student’s use of Internet resources.

How was Securly Selected?

The Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD) sponsors a Technology Director’s Monthly Committee Meeting. Each month a team of Technology Directors from participating school districts within Washtenaw County, meet to stay informed, discuss technology strategic needs, review technology systems & services and work on countywide initiatives as needed. The Securly web filtering tool was vetted through the WISD Technology Director’s Committee during the 2018-2019 school year and subsequently implemented widely throughout Washtenaw County school districts.

What Industry Regulations, Standards or Independent Audits has Securly Achieved?

Securly is SOC 2 Type 1 Compliant, and their Filter is also certified by iKeepSafe. For more than a decade, schools and parents have relied on iKeepSafe for balanced information about using technology safely. iKeepSafe’s reviews are conducted by some of the most qualified professionals in the field. Securly undergoes rigorous certification process each year.

Securly is also a signatory of the Future of Privacy Forum Student Privacy Pledge. To be a signatory, Securly has to meet their standards for protecting student data and privacy.

Securly also meets the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Compliance standards, which is one of the most significant recent developments in privacy laws worldwide.

What is Securly’s Privacy Statement?

Securly has implemented a security program to protect the information they collect from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. Securly’s Privacy Policy.

Have any Questions? 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the AAPS Student & Family Help Desk by emailing family_techsupport@aaps.k12.mi.us.