Pupil web use to be monitored to prevent radicalisation

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has announced that schools in England will begin monitoring their students’ internet use and implicate filters to prevent them from accessing harmful material such as radical content.

The plans are part of new measures schools will introduce in order to protect children from harm online. The move comes amid concerns that some youngsters are at risk of radicalisation after some school children had either travelled or attempted to travel to Syria.

One such example took place in February, when Bethnal Green Academy schoolgirls Shamima Begum and Amira Abase, 15, and Kadiza Sultana, 16, flew from London to Istanbul en route to Syria.

Morgan cited some cases where pupils had been able to access information regarding ISIL at school.

Morgan said: "As a parent, I've seen just what an important role the internet can play in children's education. But it can also bring risks, which is why we must do everything we can to help children stay safe online - at school and at home."

The proposed measures also involve showing young people how to use the internet responsibly and ensuring teachers and parents are able to keep youngsters safe from exploitation and radicalisation. In addition to radical content, internet use will be monitored to protect from other issues such as cyberbullying and pornography