By Rhys Baker

USD 379 Clay County Schools is helping students be safe online through the Bark App. The app was originally a parental control program that monitors emails and social media. USD 379 Technology Director Ben Last says the app benefits all students in real-time: “It helps us look at things like cyberbullying. If there’s bullying or self-harm, we can intervene, and the principals get notified when this happens, and they can intervene in whatever way they need to.”

Bark uses advanced machine learning and statistical analysis techniques to recognize potential problems. The app looks at content instead of just keywords. Last explains what the app looks for: “Several potential problems such as bullying, alcohol, and drugs, self-harm, weapons, violence, and that type of stuff. Every device we have has Bark installed on it.”

Last also says there are parental controls available via Bark for students’ personal devices. The app tracks where the device is located. Parents receive text or email alerts only when something potentially problematic occurs.