Bark for Schools is a safety tool designed specifically for students and educational institutions. It is offered at no cost and aims to help schools identify and address potential safety concerns among students. The product works across popular platforms such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and Chrome, providing a comprehensive safety net for the digital activities of students.
The core function of Bark for Schools involves monitoring various types of digital communications and stored files. It scans emails, chat messages, and saved documents to detect signs of problematic behavior, including bullying, exposure to online predators, sexual content, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. By doing so, it helps educators and school officials intervene early and prevent harm.
The development of Bark for Schools was driven by a tragic incident—the Parkland school shooting in 2018. The creators of the product responded to this tragedy by offering a solution that could enhance safety and provide peace of mind for students, parents, and educators. The platform’s success in protecting families inspired the extension of its features into the school environment, emphasizing community safety and proactive intervention.
As a community-oriented initiative, Bark for Schools is accessible to all K–12 schools across the United States, both public and private. Its free availability ensures that all schools, regardless of size or funding, can leverage advanced safety technology to help keep students safe online and in real-world situations. This initiative exemplifies a commitment to enhancing the safety and well-being of students nationwide.