On-line guardian for schoolchildren

An electronic guardian will protect Staffordshire children from bullying and other on-line perils following the launch of a new computer monitoring system.

Staffordshire County Council is introducing the sophisticated system in schools, libraries and youth centres. It monitors computers and provides alerts if pupils place themselves or others in danger.

The council is the first in the country to make the software available to all of its schools and places where young people use computers.

The system highlights inappropriate language and captures screenshot evidence if pupils use bullying or threatening behaviour; inappropriate internet sites or computers for unacceptable personal use during lessons.

This means a message does not have to be saved – particular words or phrases will trigger the screenshot immediately and alert those monitoring. It also identifies potentially harmful situations such as internet grooming.

Software developer Securus is providing the system as part of the council's wider commitment to e-safety. It's being officially launched during the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board E-safety Month in October. The aim of the month is to raise the profile of e-safety with children and young people, parents and carers and practitioners.

Councillor Mark Winnington, cabinet member for assets, performance and organisation, said: "This state-of-the-art monitoring system will make a real difference to ensuring that we keep our children safe.

"We're really pleased to be the first council in the country to have the system made available to every school in addition to having it installed in our libraries and youth centres. The internet is a valuable learning resource and one which young people benefit from with their studies."