Web filtering is essential for schools to create a safe, productive, and focused digital environment for students and staff. It protects students from harmful content by blocking access to inappropriate material, such as explicit, violent, or otherwise unsuitable websites, safeguarding their mental and emotional well-being.
Web filtering and content filtering are two sides of the same coin. While web filtering focuses on blocking or allowing entire websites, content filtering dives deeper into the domain's content, such as video, images and files.
Our post recommends platforms with both web and content filtering capabilities for schools. The top solutions proposed here were evaluated based on price, integrations, features, customer support, and user experience. Let’s explore further.
The Top Web & Content Filtering Software
1. Control D
Control D is a versatile web content filtering solution that provides schools with robust tools to ensure a safe and focused online environment for students. One of its significant advantages is the high level of customization it offers. Administrators can create tailored filtering policies, enabling precise control over the content students can access.
Another notable benefit of Control D is its comprehensive filtering categories. Schools can easily select from predefined filters for a wide range of content, including malware, adult material, social media, and more.
For example, American schools looking to implement web filtering solutions might be familiar with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). Those institutions looking to comply with CIPA must filter the following categories of websites:
Adult Content
Blocks sites of a pornographic nature, as well as adult themed shopping sites.
Clickbait
Blocks sites that intentionally, but not necessarily exclusively, publish hoaxes and disinformation for purposes other than satire.
Dating
Blocks dating sites like Tinder, Bumble, and more.
Drugs
Blocks sites that legally and illegally sell drugs, alcohol, tobacco and vape products.
Gambling
Blocks betting and other gambling websites.
Phishing
Blocks websites that are designed to trick a person into giving out personal information
Social
Blocks social networks.
Torrents & Piracy
Blocks common BitTorrent indexing sites as well as trackers.
VPN & DNS
Blocks websites of VPN providers and other DNS services which can be used to bypass restrictions.
Another new filter introduced recently is 'Artifical Intelligence', allowing school administrators to block access to ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI tools to preserve academic integrity.
Cross-Device Compatibility
Control D’s cross-device compatibility makes it a valuable tool for educational institutions with diverse technological infrastructure. It can be deployed at the network level on routers or directly on individual devices, ensuring consistent filtering across desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
This adaptability is especially useful in modern schools where students and staff often use a variety of devices and operating systems.
Additionally, Control D places a strong emphasis on privacy. Operating at the DNS level minimizes the need for intrusive monitoring, offering a balance between effective filtering and respecting user privacy.
Effortless Onboarding
Ease of deployment is another strength of Control D. The solution does not require additional hardware or complex configurations, making it straightforward to integrate into existing school networks. This simplicity ensures that even institutions with limited IT resources can quickly implement the system without significant disruptions.
Analytics and Reporting
Control D’s built-in analytics tool grants deep visibility into users' internet activity by providing an insight-rich overview of historical data. With an interactive and easy-to-navigate Analytics Dashboard, schools can monitor usage patterns and trends directly, in real time.
The analytics dashboard consists of:
Statistics
A summary section that visualizes usage data to reflect trends and patterns in the network's internet activity.
Activity Log
Provides a detailed record of all DNS queries made, complete with metadata. This section is crucial for detailed analysis and precise filtering rule adjustments.
Flexible Pricing Models
Control D provides affordable per-head or per-network pricing models. This ensures that schools of any size can benefit from enterprise-grade online protection without sacrificing other educational resources.
Per-Student & Staff Pricing
Control D offers straightforward pricing per user, making it manageable for schools to budget for and allocate resources effectively.
Per Network Pricing
Secure a whole network with a single deployment. Flexible pricing options are available.
Cost-Effective Security
Gain comprehensive security and content filtering solutions at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.
In summary, Control D stands out as a customizable, privacy-focused, and easy-to-deploy solution that aligns well with the diverse and evolving needs of educational institutions.
2. Lightspeed Systems
Lightspeed Systems offers a robust content filtering solution tailored specifically for K–12 schools. Their platform is designed to ensure a safe online environment by leveraging advanced AI to block inappropriate or harmful content effectively.
The solution supports compliance with CIPA and offers administrators extensive control with customizable policies. This allows filtering rules to be adjusted based on grade levels or specific user needs. Additionally, Lightspeed provides detailed analytics and reporting, offering real-time insights into student activity, which helps schools maintain oversight and enforce policies effectively.
However, Lightspeed’s comprehensive features can sometimes be overwhelming for smaller institutions, as advanced setups may require technical expertise or training. The platform’s premium pricing might be a challenge for schools with limited budgets. Occasionally, the filtering AI may block useful educational content, requiring manual intervention to adjust settings, which can be time-consuming.
3. Securly
Securly provides a cloud-based content filtering solution tailored for K–12 schools, aiming to create a secure online environment for students. It effectively blocks inappropriate content and offers features like real-time monitoring and detailed reporting, assisting schools in complying with regulations such CIPA.
The platform's user-friendly interface simplifies management for administrators, and its cloud-based nature ensures scalability without bandwidth limitations.
However, Securly's filtering system has faced criticism for potentially overreaching in its monitoring capabilities, raising concerns about student privacy. Some argue that the extensive surveillance may infringe on students' rights and create a sense of being constantly watched.
Additionally, there have been instances where the filter has blocked legitimate educational content, necessitating manual adjustments by administrators.
4. Cisco Umbrella
Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-based security platform that offers web filtering solutions tailored for educational institutions. Its DNS-layer security effectively blocks access to malicious websites, providing a robust defense against threats like malware and phishing attacks. This proactive approach enhances the overall security posture of schools, ensuring a safer online environment for students and staff.
The platform's web content filtering feature allows administrators to manage internet access by categorizing and controlling which sites can be accessed. With over 80 content categories, schools can customize policies to align with their acceptable use guidelines, thereby promoting a focused educational environment.
Cisco Umbrella's cloud-native architecture simplifies deployment and management, making it particularly beneficial for schools with limited IT resources.
However, some users have reported that Cisco Umbrella's reporting capabilities could be more detailed and customizable, which may limit insights into user activity.
Additionally, the platform's pricing structure can be a consideration for budget-constrained educational institutions.
Cisco Umbrella offers a comprehensive content filtering solution that enhances online security and enforces acceptable school use policies. While it provides robust protection and ease of management, potential users should consider its reporting capabilities and cost to ensure it aligns with their specific needs.
5. Cloudflare Gateway
Cloudflare Gateway is a secure web gateway solution that offers several advantages for schools seeking effective content filtering. By leveraging Cloudflare's extensive global network, it provides real-time traffic monitoring and URL filtering, enabling educational institutions to control access to inappropriate or distracting websites.
The platform integrates robust threat protection features, including malware protection, phishing, and other cyber threats. This integration enhances the security of school networks, safeguarding both students and staff from potential online dangers.
Cloudflare Gateway's cloud-native architecture simplifies deployment and management, making it accessible for schools with limited IT resources. Its scalability ensures that institutions can adapt the solution to their evolving needs without significant infrastructure changes.
However, some users have noted that Cloudflare Gateway may lack certain advanced features required for complex environments, which could be a consideration for schools with specific or sophisticated content filtering needs.
6. ManagedMethods
ManagedMethods offers a cloud application security platform tailored for K–12 school districts, providing comprehensive visibility and control over data stored in cloud applications such as Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
This solution enables schools to monitor and manage student and staff activities within these platforms, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations and protecting against data breaches.
An advantage of ManagedMethods is its seamless integration with existing cloud applications, which is beneficial for educational institutions with limited IT resources. The platform is straightforward to set up and manage, enabling administrators to oversee cloud environments effectively.
ManagedMethods employs artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect potential threats, such as malware and phishing attempts, and identify sensitive data exposure. Additionally, the platform offers features that monitor cyberbullying, violence, and inappropriate content, contributing to a safer online environment for students.
However, the platform's reliance on APIs means it can only access data that these interfaces provide, which might limit visibility into some user activities.
7. WebTitan
WebTitan is a cloud-based web filtering solution designed to help educational institutions manage internet access and ensure a safe online environment for students. Its user-friendly interface allows administrators to easily configure security policies, controlling access to unwanted web content and preventing data loss. The platform offers compatibility with various devices, including desktops, servers, and mobile devices.
WebTitan offers customizable filters to control access to inappropriate or non-educational websites, promoting a focused learning environment. Additionally, WebTitan provides detailed reporting and analytics, enabling schools to monitor internet usage and identify potential security risks.
However, some users have encountered challenges with WebTitan's integration capabilities, particularly when integrating it with existing endpoint protection software, especially for Mac users. This can complicate the deployment process and may require additional technical support.
Why is Content Filtering Important for Schools?
Schools often need to comply with legal requirements, such as the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) in the U.S., which mandates content filtering to ensure safe internet access and qualify for federal funding. Filtering tools also enhance data privacy and protect sensitive student information from cyber threats.
By minimizing distractions, content filtering ensures students stay focused on educational activities, preventing access to non-academic platforms like social media or gaming sites. It also shields the school’s network from cybersecurity risks, such as malware and phishing attacks, ensuring secure and uninterrupted operations.
Content filtering supports teachers by allowing them to control online resources accessed during lessons, aligning internet use with curriculum goals. It also fosters digital citizenship by teaching students responsible internet behavior through exposure to age-appropriate content.
