Controversial program monitors student activity on computers to prevent bullying, violence, suicides

HAZEL PARK, Mich. – A controversial new program that tracks and screens each transfer college students make on their computer systems is turning into extra outstanding in colleges.

This system known as “Gaggle,” and its objective is to stop bullying, violence and suicides. Some consider it goes too far, although.

Hazel Park Faculties Superintendent Dr. Amy Kruppe stated the district is on a trial with Gaggle, which scans all digital exercise on the colleges’ computer systems and accounts, searching for indicators of hassle.

“If we save one life or cease a combat, then it’s achieved its job,” Kruppe stated.

The software program works by searching for bullying, violence or suicidal ideas and notifying directors when it flags an issue.

Gaggle is being utilized in practically 1,400 districts all through the nation, and it examined about four billion paperwork final yr.

There may be push again, particularly from the American Civil Liberties Union, which argues this system is invasive surveillance. However Gaggle officers say this system seems in school computer systems and accounts, not private ones.

Gaggle officers stated this system prevented 722 suicides final yr. Nevertheless it comes at a price, and plenty of districts can’t afford it.

There are 31 colleges in Michigan — together with three in Metro Detroit — that use this system.