Governor's Guide to Digital Monitoring

This guide provides an overview of digital monitoring in educational settings, particularly in light of recent statutory guidance changes in the UK. It outlines the necessity for digital monitoring as a means to safeguard students from various online risks, including grooming, cyberbullying, and self-harm. The document details three main types of monitoring strategies: physical, active, and proactive monitoring. Physical monitoring involves staff observing students' screen activities, while active monitoring utilizes software to flag potential risks based on students' online behaviors. Proactive monitoring combines software with human moderation to ensure timely identification of risks. The guide emphasizes the importance of making hidden online dangers visible to enable faster interventions by designated safeguarding leads (DSLs). It also discusses the implementation process for these monitoring strategies, highlighting the integration of monitoring solutions with existing record management systems to provide a comprehensive view of student wellbeing.