Internet Safety

Filtering and Security

The Oconomowoc Area School District uses a network filtering system as one means of protection for our students. A comprehensive approach including protection measures, monitoring, and instruction is utilized in our school district. The district-issued student Chromebooks will have Internet filtering at school and at home, to the extent it is possible, with the tools in place within the School District & Google Apps for Education Administration.

There may be times when the filtering tools may not work, may fail, or changes beyond the District’s control may occur causing web filtering to not occur on the district-issued devices when they are not within the School District. Parents and students are encouraged to report to their site administrator any complaints or concerns regarding student access or exposure to any content, activities, or communications that may be harmful, deceptive, or otherwise inappropriate or objectionable. It is recommended a student’s use of the Internet be monitored.

We encourage families to have conversations about responsible technology use and recommend using the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's New Interactive Safety Resource.

OASD Filtering Overview

GoGuardian Parent

GoGuardian Parent is a mobile app that will help keep you aware of your child's activity on school-issued devices and provide you with additional parental controls during out-of-school hours.

To help your child remain scholarly and safe online, GoGuardian collects certain personally identifiable information about your child. For more detailed information about GoGuardian, you may visit GoGuardian’s website, Trust & Privacy Center or GoGuardian’s Product Privacy Policy.

How to get access to the GoGuardian Parent App

Email helpdesk@oasd.org to request a parent account. Include the name of your student, their grade level, and the school they attend.
When your account has been created, you can use the Getting Started Guide in the document below to complete the setup process.
If you have any questions, please contact our Help Desk – helpdesk@oasd.org.

Getting Started Guide

OASD Go Guardian Parent Information

Internet Safety Resources for Parents

Websites

Reclaiming Talk: The Power of Conversation in a Digital Age by Sherry Turkle
Wait Until 8th - Parent resources on smart phones & kids.
Being Thirteen: Inside the Secret World of Teens - CNN Special Report by Anderson Cooper looks at what teens are actually doing online.
Screenagers: The Screenagers movie website has many resources for parents including screen time contracts, parenting apps, digital citizenship, cyberbullying, internet addiction along with other topics. Plus they have a weekly blog you can subscribe to called “Text Talk Tuesdays” to give your ideas for family discussions around screen time.

Books

Cinderella Ate My Daughter by Peggy Orenstein
Get Off That Game Now: The Essential Guide to Healthy Screen Behavior by Kevin Roberts
Glow Kids: How Screen Addiction is Hijacking our Kids & How to Break the Trance by Nicholas Kardaras, PhD.
Reset Your Child's Brain - A 4 week program to end meltdowns, raise grades, etc. by Victoria Dunckely
Wise Minded Parenting: 7 Essentials for Raising Successful Tweens & Teens by Laura Kastner

Monitoring and Blocking

The following apps came from the Screenagers resource section:

Parenting Apps for Monitoring & Blocking:

AT&T Parental Controls - Manage internet and email activity on computers
Circle with Disney - Parents can filter content, limit screen time and set a bedtime for every device in the home.
FamilyTime - Parental controls for iOS and Android
Mobile Fence - Parental controls and GPS tracking for Android devices
Net Nanny - Parental controls for Android and iOS
NetSanity - Parental controls for iOS
OurPact - Mobile guidance for your family, available for iOS and Android
Screen Time - Parental controls for iOS, Android and Kindle devices
Sprint Mobile Controls - Monitor phone usage
T-Mobile Family Allowances - Manage minutes, messages and downloads on phones
Verizon Family Base - Monitor wireless activity and set usage limits
XFINITY TV Online parental controls - Restricts what children can watch online

Driving:

Cell Control - For Android and iPhone
DriveMode - Available on Android
Drive Safe Mode - For iPhone

Time Limit & Mindfulness

Time Limit

Moment - (Cost: Free version or Pro for $3.99 per month) Tracks how much you use your phone during the day, Sets screen time limits, Gives usage reports
Checky - For both iOS and Android, Checky lets you track and geographically map your phone use.
unGlue - (Cost: Free version or premium for $9.99 per month) Set limits on screen time, set a recurring device schedule, Get usage reports, Remotely turn off the internet to an individual device or to all devices
Circle with Disney WiFi router - (Cost: $99) Set daily limits for each device, Set a bedtime and an awake time for when devices will disconnect from the Wifi then reconnect. Set filters for each family member or use Circle's 4 preset age levels, Pause internet access, See usage reports
iPhone Settings - (Cost: Free) iPhone users can see the time they spend on apps by going to Settings>Battery then click the clock in the upper right hand corner of the menu. You can see how many hours are spent on what apps in the last 24 hours or the last 7 days
Pocket Points - (Cost: Free) A great app for students. Gain points by keeping your phone locked when you are on campus. Use points to get discounts and coupons to businesses near you. Pocket Points is popular among college students and is trying to grow their high school presence. You can request a high school or university on the app.
If you need more information about internet safety or assistance setting up a family media plan contact Gals Institute at gals.ocommunity@gmail.com or call 262-337-9770. We are a leader in prevention and healing in the Lake Country area.

Powering Down and Becoming More Mindful:

Pinpoint your digital “time sucks”. Use apps like RescueTime & The Moment.
Ask yourself “Am I truly enjoying my online activity?” Are your online diversions providing you as much joy as your real-life experiences?
Put yourself in “airplane mode”. Use a real alarm clock instead of your phone to avoid interruptions while you sleep! Keep digital devices and phones out of kids’ bedrooms during sleep times.
Practice a weekly “digital Sabbath” and go one day without digital devices.
Manage your email, don’t let it manage you!! Remove email from your phone, set dedicated times each day to check emails, set up separate emails for family only and work only. Manage your texts as well. Use “do not disturb” function to manage text messages.
Get a “digital babysitter”. Apps: Freedom, Digital Detach, StayFocusd, SelfControl
Try “phone stacking” when out with family & friends – put all phones in center of table.
Don’t carry your digital devices everywhere. Give yourself permission to unplug!
Swap one digital habit for FUN! Get outside, exercise, do yoga or tai chi, try mediation.
Use a central “charging area” for all family members’ devices. Set a time for everyone to “unplug” in preparation for healthy sleep!
Create a family mission statement and screen contracts for all family members. Be a great digital role model for your children.
We don’t multi-task as well as we think we do! Have kids put cell phones away when studying.

Mindfulness Resources:

“Unplugged: How to Live Mindfully in a Digital World” by Orianna Fielding
“Conquer Cyberoverload” by Joanne Cantor
“Design Your Day” by Claire Diaz-Ortiz
Mediation Apps: Headspace, Calm, Buddhify, Whil, Insight Timer
“The Mindful Moment” on You Tube for guided meditations

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