The Best Web Filtering Softwares for Schools | The Ultimate Guide
- The Deledao Team
- Jun 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 10
In today's digital classroom, the filter you choose can make or break student engagement. Students have unprecedented access to online resources these days, which exposes them to potential distractions and harmful content.
No two school web filters are the same. That's why In this article, we'll dive deep into the most important things to look for when choosing the right web filter for your school to use.
What is Web Filtering Software for Schools?
Web filtering software is a tool that controls the content accessible over the internet on school networks and devices. It blocks inappropriate websites, restricts access to non-educational content, and ensures compliance with federal laws.
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), for example, is one of the most common federal laws that schools adhere to.
School web filtering software often includes customizable “allowlists” and “blocklists.” Adding a website to the allow list ensures students and educators can access it without restriction, while block-listed sites are completely restricted.
Modern solutions, such as Deledao's real-time AI filtering, go beyond static blocklists. They analyze content dynamically, adapting to different types of inappropriate content and distracting student behaviors to keep students safe and learning.
Why Does Web Filtering Matter in K12 Education?
An estimated 99% of schools use web filtering software, because implementing robust web filtering software is crucial to maintaining a safe and productive educational environment. Particularly among schools that participate in the federal E-rate program, a compliant web filter also grants schools and libraries funding for telecommunications and internet access.
Effective web filtering is essential for:
Student Safety: Protects students from exposure to harmful or inappropriate content.
Compliance: Ensures adherence to CIPA and other laws or regulatory requirements.
Academic Focus: Minimizes distractions by blocking access to non-educational sites during school hours.
However, traditional filtering methods often fall short, unable to adapt to the dynamic nature of the internet and the savvy techniques students use to bypass restrictions. Implementing robust web filtering software is crucial for schools to maintain a safe and productive educational environment. Deledao's InstantAI™, for one, has built-in real-time AI filtering that blocks distracting content the moment it appears. This helps schools proactively monitor and manage online activities, ensuring students stay focused and protected.
Types of Web Filtering for Schools
Understanding all the different filtering methods available is key to choosing the right solution for your school.
Firewall-Based Filtering
Operates at the network level to block access to specific IP addresses or domains. Firewalls are for cybersecurity and not meant for content filtering, so the capabilities are quite basic. This option would require consistent maintenance of long blocklists and allowlists of domains and URLs
DNS Filtering
Domain Name System (DNS) filtering is the least granular out of all the web filtering options, it can only block entire domains. DNS filtering cannot allowlist individual webpages within a domain if educators need students to access those webpages.
AI-Database Filtering
Utilizes machine learning to analyze and pre-categorize domains, URLs, and keywords. This method is more granular than firewall-based and DNS filtering, but still requires significant maintenance of long blocklists and allowlists. AI-database filtering also doesn’t analyze content in real time to individually block or blur embedded games, images, videos, and more. Dynamic webpages with infinite scroll or personalized ads that load in real time cannot be detected by the AI-database blocklists.
Real-Time AI Filtering
The most advanced approach, real-time AI filtering, instantly evaluates web content as it's accessed. It detects and blocks inappropriate material, even if it's newly created or previously uncategorized. Common issues such as embedded games on Google Sites or search engines, proxy bypass sites, inappropriate images and scenes within videos will be automatically blocked or blurred as the user browses the web.
What is Cloud-Based Web Filtering?
Cloud-based filtering solutions are hosted online, eliminating the need for expensive on-premises hardware that requires ongoing maintenance and does not work off campus. They offer scalability, easy updates, and remote management capabilities, making them ideal for schools with limited IT resources.
Key Features to Look for in School Web Filtering Software
The type of web filtering isn't the only factor that varies between different web filters. The following core features also impact HOW your school's teachers interact with students:
The top features to look for:
Cloud-Based: Works on and off campus; does not require hardware maintenance fees.
Real-Time AI Content Analysis: Instantly evaluates and filters web content as it's accessed.
Customizable Policies: Allows different filtering rules for various user groups, such as students vs staff.
Comprehensive Reporting: Provides detailed insights into internet usage and filtering effectiveness.
Multi-Device Support: Ensures consistent filtering across all devices, including BYOD scenarios.
User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies administration and policy management for IT staff.
Free Vs. Paid Web Filtering Software for Schools
While free web filtering solutions can be appealing, they are not effective and may violate CIPA-compliance rules. Not to mention, free filters lack the advanced features and support necessary for comprehensive content analysis.
Paid solutions typically offer:
Granular Detection: Advanced content analysis and real-time filtering capabilities.
Regulatory Compliance: Meet CIPA and other legal requirements.
Dedicated Support: Access to customer service and technical assistance.
Investing in a robust, paid web filtering solution ensures that schools can provide a safe and focused learning environment.
The Strongest Real-Time AI Filter - Deledao ActiveScan™
Deledao's ActiveScan™ is the original, patented real-time AI filtering solution for K12. It's powered by InstantAI™, the first and only patented multi-layered AI technology designed to exceed CIPA compliance, secure E-Rate funding, and help students succeed in learning.
It offers:
✅ Real-time AI for video and image blurring
✅ Real-time AI for proxy bypass detection
✅ Real-time AI for profanity and generative AI blocking
✅ No more whack-a-mole with uncategorized sites
✅ No more over-blocking or under-blocking
✅ Highly customizable (per student, class, school)
✅ Classroom Management and Student Wellness integrations
Trusted by Leading School Districts
What Educators Are Saying
"IT tickets dropped by almost 50%!"
“It didn’t matter which K12 filter we tried. Our IT team was drowning in filter requests, blocking and unblocking sites all day. We switched to Deledao & the difference is night & day. Their real-time AI just automates it for us. IT tickets dropped by almost 50%!”
Alessandro Spada,
Director of Technology
South Glen Falls School District (NY)
"A robust filter and a time saver."
“I can allow access to more educational resources than ever before. It's easy to use, and the integrations with my current tech stack have convinced my teachers to be on board with transitioning filters. Even if you're not thinking about switching filters, you should try Deledao like I did!”
Michael Robbins
Chief Technology Officer
Westminster School District (CA)
How We Compare
Feature | Traditional Filter | Deledao ActiveScan™ Filter |
Static Blocklists | ✅ | ✅ + Patented InstantAI™ |
Real-Time Analysis | ❌ | ✅ |
AI-Powered Detection | ❌ | ✅ |
Customizable by Group | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Full Control |
Proxy Bypass Site Detection | ❌ | ✅ |
Off-Campus Filtering | ⚠️ | ✅ |
Reporting & Insights | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Advanced & Actionable |
FAQ - AI-Powered Web Filters
Will this filter slow down our network?
No. Deledao's AI filtering works in real-time without compromising speed or performance.
Does this work on student-owned devices?
Yes. Our solution supports BYOD and off-campus filtering.
How is this different from traditional filtering software?
Unlike blocklist-based solutions, our patented InstantAI™ analyzes content in real time—even on dynamic or newly created websites.
Will your product help our school comply with CIPA?
Investing in the Right Web Filtering Software
Choosing the appropriate web filtering software is vital for maintaining a secure and productive educational setting. Real-time AI filtering stands out as a proactive solution, adapting to the ever-changing digital landscape and student behaviors.
By implementing a comprehensive filtering system, schools can protect students, comply with regulations, and foster an environment conducive to learning.
Protect Your Students. Empower Your Classrooms.
