Internet Safety is a priority for the District. CSD uses the Content Keeper content filtering system to prevent students from accessing inappropriate material online while using District computing devices or the District’s network. The restrictions placed on CSD Chromebooks work no matter where the device is being used — at home, at school, or elsewhere.

The Canyons filtering system works by categorizing known Internet content and then allowing us to block inappropriate categories such as pornography, social networking, gambling, weapons, adult content, gaming, etc. 

The filtering differs for elementary, middle and high schools and is based on the age-appropriateness and the educational needs of the grade levels.

Canyons District’s network is segmented into several separate sub-networks, which aid in performance and security. Staff using school- or District-provided devices will be placed on a sub-network, which provides them with different access rights and privileges than afforded by the student network for students using school- or district-provided devices. While on CSD property, all users of a personal device — such as a smartphone, laptop or tablet — may access the Canyons Guest network, which has similar restrictions as the student network.

CSD also has the ability to create districtwide “allow” and “block” lists. Allow lists help us to override the filter’s default settings to allow specific sites to be accessed. Block lists are used to override the filter default settings to block sites. We also can block and allow sites per school. In addition, searches for Google Images are directed to a filter called Safesearch. If the content is inappropriate, the user is not granted access. 

While the filters used by CSD mostly serve to prevent inadvertent exposure, we can’t guarantee that a determined user won’t ever be able to access inappropriate content.

The accessibility of various online platforms for students at varies by different school levels. At the elementary and middle school levels, access to platforms like Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, Spotify, and online shopping is restricted, while YouTube/Vimeo is available only if embedded in instructional materials. In high schools, students have access to (filtered) YouTube/Vimeo and online shopping, but access to social media platforms and streaming services like Spotify remains restricted across all grade levels. This approach helps regulate online activity based on age and appropriateness within the school environment.

Parents can request that additional restrictions be placed on their student’s Chromebook by using their Skyward credentials to log into the Technology Connect Portal. It’s important to note that these additional restrictions may prevent the student from accessing grade-level learning resources and in-classroom adjustments will need to be made. There are two choices for extra filtering:

• Moderate – This filter setting matches the settings in place for elementary students, which grants less access to social media, music and video streaming, and shopping sites. Students at this level may not be able to access some of the learning apps used in middle and high schools. Teachers are prepared to make adjustments to support student learning such as, embedding instructional links in Canvas pages where they won’t be blocked.
• Restrictive – This filter setting is very limited and only allows access to approved websites including, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Meet, and Canvas. Students at this level will only be able to use learning apps that teachers embed in Canvas, and they will not be able to use Google Search to perform research for an essay or find images for a slide presentation.

In addition to viewing and modifying the Internet filtering level for their student(s), parents may also view flagged search terms, view Chromebook login time, and request sites to be reviewed in the Technology Connect Portal.

Teachers establish classroom procedures to teach students how to use technology properly and define clear expectations for how technology should be used to support learning. This provides procedures for students to follow when interacting with digital tools and devices during classroom instruction.

Teachers are asked to monitor students whenever they are online, either electronically and/or by walking around the classroom. Canyons School District teachers have access to LanSchool/LanSchool Air to electronically monitor the screens of student desktops, laptops, and Chromebook devices owned by CSD. In addition to monitoring, this software also allows teachers to block or allow certain websites or blank out screens to aid in redirecting student attention. Similarly, student iPads can be monitored with Apple Classroom.

When inappropriate content is accessed by a student or staff member (either seemingly by accident or on purpose), the student or students should be removed from the situation and the school principal or administration should be notified. Canyons IT does not constantly monitor user activity.  However, when alerted to the possibility of inappropriate use, IT reviews the Internet history in question and reports questionable activity to school and District administrators, who work with students and their parents to determine disciplinary measures. CSD retains weeks of Internet browsing history for all users. Besides working to fix any issue discovered, the IT Department will work with the administration to gather information and take appropriate measures if the Responsible Use Guidelines were violated.

To learn more about the strategies educators use for monitoring technology use at school, visit the Technology Monitoring at School page.

All apps, extensions, and software must be approved before using with students. Websites must also be approved IF they collect student personal identifiable information (i.e. require a student login). The Learn Platform is a database of digital instructional materials that have been reviewed for use in Canyons classrooms. Teachers, students, and families can use the searchable database to determine if a desired resource has already been reviewed or to identify an approved resource for a specific classroom need.

Digital materials are approved if they follow best practices and meet FERPA, CIPA, and COPPA data security standards to ensure student safety. Even if a tool is approved, it might not be suitable for every lesson. Educators are encourage to consult with their school’s Instructional Coach or the Instructional Supports Department Content Specialist if they need support to determine if the material supports best practices for a specific lesson. To learn more about which tools are used and the approval criteria, visit the LEARN page.

• Google Apps Management – We are heavily integrated with Chrome Management for the many Chromebook devices that are in use today. It allows us to manage what apps and services are available for users. For instance, this system is what allows us to set our student Gmail accounts to send and receive emails only to teachers and other students.
• Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is used to manage all our district and student Windows devices. This includes security updates, system patches, and system upgrades.
• We use the Mosyle mobile device management system to manage iPads. This allows us to manage which apps are loaded onto devices and to purchase apps legally for school use.