How Technology Can Make Schools Safer
Students of all levels are exposed to various forms of violence and risks while striving to make their future bright at learning institutions. Only a tiny percentage of these misfortunes relate to health and mental wellness, while shootings take up the largest portion. Through technology, the administration can combat various risks and make education worthwhile.
This blog post will show you how technology can make schools safer.
Examples of Safety Threats in Schools
Gun violence and shootings are not the only risks in schools. Many other events can be identified in the same category, including:
- Student bullying, fights, and physical assaults by students or staff.
- Verbal utterances that seek to humiliate or harm other students.
- Text messages or comments on social media platforms to harass students are also threats.
- Natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes threaten schools.
- Possession or use of drugs at schools by students can lead to adverse effects such as ill behaviour toward others.
Other safety threats to schools include knowingly destroying school property and making drawings, marks, or graffiti that evoke feelings of danger around the school premises. Self-harm among students and sexual assault (exploitation, coercion, or suggestive touching) are as harmful as any other hazard.
Weapon Detection Technology
What's more heartbreaking than hearing news about gun violence in a school your child or loved one attends? Shootings in schools have become rampant in recent years because of guns on the premises.
Gun detection technology uses security cameras with exceptional video analytics to determine whether people or vehicles enter a school quickly. These cameras deliver instant, real-time results about a possible security threat before the unexpected happens. Weapons detection systems for schools can shield students from potential attacks by enhancing response time.
Real-Time Monitoring Through CCTVs
Another way technology can help foster safety in schools is by establishing CCTV surveillance systems across the institution. These cameras capture every activity within and near the school, helping the administration identify danger in advance.
They should be strategically installed in areas where they can get a closer view of different activities. Besides that, it's advisable to have physical controllers monitoring CCTV activities. Otherwise, it would be ineffective to capture a threat and work on it later.
Emergency Management
Learning institutions should adequately prepare for various safety risks through stable emergency management. Security guards and other personnel should be able to act quickly when there's a threat. This can be implemented through developments such as mass notifications focusing on the most concerned units.
There should also be automatic alerts for the same, such as when there are excessive commotions or loud sounds that may be associated with something terrible happening. Schools can establish these applications and systems by partnering with various software developers.
Anonymous Reporting Applications
Students might feel threatened to report an incident that happened to them or others because they fear attack. To combat this, schools can use technology to develop applications or systems that allow people to disclose something anonymously.
The concerned department can follow up on the issue while preserving the whistleblower's identity. While the traditional suggestion box is an excellent idea, it can sometimes compromise students' safety and confidence.
Better Communication
Technology has made it easier to communicate between departments. This is a win for learning institutions regarding improving safety since it allows quick information dissemination. Some practical examples include walkie-talkies, radios, mobile phones, microphones, and automatic response teams.
Technology helps eliminate communication barriers between different departments. In addition to automation, schools should invest in the latest appliances and an adequate communication team.
Identification Systems
School insecurity often arises from the inside, but external attacks can be alarming. Therefore, when discussing school security, you should consider identification systems. They help capture the unique identity of everyone entering the premises.
It includes technologies related to facial recognition, fingerprints, body scanners, and access control strategies. Everyone's ongoing business must be identified, and their details must be stored within the system for future reference. Access control mechanisms (tags, controls, or codes) are also handy for identification.
There is hope in today's efforts to eliminate school threats through technology. By harnessing the potential of these ideas, you can significantly advance the cause of safe learning environments. Technological measures must change to keep up with threats.