January 26th 2026 | 2min read

Strengthening Online Safeguarding Through Effective Systems

Online safety is most effective when filtering and monitoring work together.

One without the other leaves gaps that can put pupils at risk. By regularly reflecting on how both are used in your school, you can strengthen safeguarding practice, spot concerns early, and ensure systems are working as intended.

Below are Senso’s key reflection points to help you maximise the impact of your filtering and monitoring tools. 

Reflecting on Filtering Practices

Filtering is your first line of defence, but it should never be a “set and forget” system. Regular checks and reviews are essential.

Ask yourself:

• Is Filtering on ALL devices?
• URL Block / Allow: Do you know what is blocked and allowed as well as the reasoning behind this?
• Filtering Checks: How often are these being completed? How are they recorded and is there a clear action plan for improvements?
• If you are sending devices home, is the filtering effective there? Are you getting reports of concerning captures during the evening or holiday time? If so, what are you doing to prevent this?

Reflecting on Monitoring Practices

Monitoring brings visibility to what filtering can’t catch. It allows schools to respond to concerns in real time and support pupils effectively.

Good monitoring habits include:

• Visiting the portal daily, little and often helps you stay on top of the captures.
• Act and address concerns with pupils.
• Record what you have done or send to CPOMS / My Concern to keep a record.
• Use weekly and termly reports to inform curriculum and assemblies.
• Use the analytics area in the portal to identify key pupils who would benefit from support or intervention.

Bringing It All Together 

Filtering and monitoring are most powerful when reviewed regularly and used proactively.

By reflecting on both, schools can move beyond compliance and build a culture of meaningful online safety — one that protects pupils, supports staff, and responds to real-world behaviour.

Our Assisted Monitoring service is an additional layer that combines human moderation and Senso software to add another level of protection to schools by helping monitor student behaviour, identify and alert staff to serious issues, while offering support to help resolve them. At the heart of this service is our experienced and knowledgeable team, who work closely with schools to provide their expertise, acting as an extension to your core safeguarding team.