Students who are issued laptops and other devices should expect their internet use to be monitored by their school district in DeKalb, Fulton, and Atlanta Public Schools.
Fulton County Schools announced it would install Linewize Monitor on district-issued devices on Nov. 1.
The school district shared a message with parents that the software was being installed to detect and alert staff of suspicious online activity. It should help identify students who may need mental health resources. Parents will get notifications when students access inappropriate or harmful content, and it will provide school staff with reports alerting them to intervene when necessary, according to the FCS.
FCS said monitoring only applies to FCS-issued devices to protect students in online environments during school-related activities. It cannot access personal devices, cameras, or private data.
“Ensuring the safety and security of students’ online experiences is a top priority for DeKalb County Schools,” a district spokesperson said.
DeKalb uses Lightspeed Relay as its content-filtering solution across all district-issued devices, both on and off the school network. This tool leverages machine learning and algorithms to block inappropriate and harmful content in real time, adapting to evolving online threats.
Customizable filter settings in Lightspeed Relay enable the adoption of stricter policies for younger students, the spokesperson said. The DeKalb school district said it provides reporting tools that enable administrators to monitor trends, detect high-risk behavior patterns, and ensure compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, supporting student privacy and digital safety.
Parents had reported difficulties initially accessing and setting up the Lightspeed Relay app and controls. Parents must have their cellphone and their child’s laptop on hand to set up controls, school officials said.
An Atlanta Public Schools (APS) spokesperson said the school district uses the Securly platform to track student-issued devices and internet activity on campus and at home. APS also has established groups that get alerted when students search for content deemed harmful or concerning. The Securly platform has a parent portal allowing parents to view and control student activities at home.
The APS spokesperson confirmed the Securly system has already flagged some concerns.
The deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder brought more attention to school security. FCS Superintendent of Schools Mike Looney detailed how the school district has spent $47 million to increase security, with monitoring software as part of those efforts.
For more information on the FCS monitoring tool, visit the Linewize Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage.
Logan C. Ritchie contributed to this article.
