What web filtering is#

Web filtering is software that helps prevent staff and students from accessing inappropriate or malicious sites including:

• websites
• applications (apps)
• known virtual private networks (VPNs).

Web filtering can help your school or kura:

• reduce the risk of cyber attacks
• block inappropriate websites and apps that are explicit, violent, or illegal
• block unwanted websites and apps such as social media and games
• limit the use of high-bandwidth sites like YouTube.

Why web filtering is important#

Web filters can:

• detect and block suspicious and dangerous websites
• block​ unwanted​ ​websites and apps​ such as social media​ and​ games​
• protect your school’s network from slowing down.

Our recommendation: Network for Learning web filtering#

We recommend your school get fully funded web filtering through the Network for Learning (N4L) Internet Safety & Security Services. N4L suggests categories to block with web filtering at school.

Recommended blocked web filtering categories – N4L

You can customise N4L's filtering to fit your school's needs. For example:

• Scheduling access to websites at certain times of the day such as allowing access to YouTube during class time only.
• Blocking or allowing websites for certain groups of people, such as teachers or students.
• Blocking a single website for all users when it becomes problematic for learning.

To make changes to your school's web filtering, contact N4L.

Freephone (NZ only): 0800 532 764 (0800 LEARNING)

Email: [email protected]

Other web filtering services#

If your school uses a different web filtering service and turns off N4L's service, you will need to make sure you have the recommended filtering settings. We recommend talking to your information technology (IT) provider or IT lead.

If you choose to use other web filtering services, we recommend using the N4L recommended blocked web filtering categories as a starting point.

What to do if someone accesses blocked content#

Illegal or sensitive content#

If illegal or extremely sensitive content is accessed at school, you should follow our guidance.

Using N4L#

If you’re using N4L​’s​ Internet Safety & Security Services​ with the recommended settings​, they'll let you know if any settings change on your network. You can contact them for guidance.

Contact us – N4L

Using other web filtering services#

If your school uses a different web filtering service, make sure they are alerted. You should also ask for guidance from your IT provider or IT lead.