As assistant principal at Hurricane High School in Putnam County Schools, W.V., Nichole Mowery worries about what kids may say to each other online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cStudents use devices that open a digital world, but that space is vast and can be impossible for teachers and administrators to monitor 24\/7,\u201d she said. To the end, her district leverages Lightspeed, a tool for monitoring students\u2019 online behaviors. \u201cIt just adds another layer of protection for our students as they navigate their digital world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When students use school-issued technology to share their distress \u2014 via email or social media, for example \u2014 technology can help school leaders catch the early warning signs and step in to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Lightspeed Systems works in much the same way: Scanning communications, using AI and human review to determine whether there\u2019s a real risk, and alerting school officials as needed. Director of Product, Safety & Wellness Jennifer Duer says the technology drives tangible outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA customer rolled out Lightspeed Alert and within their first week got alert that a student had a knife on campus. They called that student down to the office and found that he had been in a bullying situation and was intending to use that knife to defend himself,\u201d she said. \u201cWithin a few days of rolling out the product, they found something really significant that they were able to prevent.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n