The article titled "Schools Eye Facial Recognition Technology to Boost Security" talks and informs readers about a new form of technology that could be entering multiple schools which can identify and alert the school if someone who shouldn't be on campus arrives. The SAFR system is a form of technology that includes installing cameras around the campus and uses facial recognition software, such as that seen in the iPhone X, to scan for any sex offenders, employees who have been relieved from working, expelled students, criminals, and anyone else who simply should not be on campus. People criticize this system because, first of all, it cannot prevent every single act of violence on campus. If a regular student who never had seem suspicious beforehand had committed an act of violence, the software cannot prevent it because it does not see that student as a threat. This system is also fairly expensive, but it does not take a cut out of the school's income. Instead it takes a cut out of a state technology bond which makes this tech more accessible to schools. Many also argue simply installing metal detectors to the entrances of the school can prevent shootings or stabbings that may occur, but doing so will not only slow down students and staff trying to enter and exit the school, but also may trigger false alarms if the student was carrying a metal pen which was left in their pocket. Should this form of technology be further developed and improved? Do you think that this is a step in the right direction, or should we try to look for something else to help prevent acts of violence in our schools?
-Maher Homsi
I think that this could be some pretty useful technology to implement. Obviously it would not solve every problem as you said, but it would definitely help. The nice thing about this system is that it would not be as tedious as a metal detector, but would still at least protect students from outside threats. I have some friends that were surprised that we are not required to carry around IDs at Mayfair because they need them in order to go places around school. I think a combination of simple protocol methods like this would definitely help secure schools to be not impenetrable, but at least a bit safer than they are now.
ReplyDeletefrom Caleb Bachle:
ReplyDeleteThis system could help protect the school undoubtedly. If schools were to get that facial recognition software, it could recognize a threat that may be unnoticed by the security. As you said, the school would not be impenetrable, but if someone were to do something bad, like a school shooting, there would not be much any technology or school security could do. The system would at least see that something is happening and warn the school about it.
I find this method to be very helpful in making schools safer, and I do see the appeal of it. Moreover, it would deem to be very useful within the school system and is quite cool, being able to identify students' and faculty's faces through a camera. Of course, this method of protection would work, but is it worth going through the process of developing and installing these devices?
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, technology today is not advanced enough to reach this point and become normal to find in all schools. Not only that, but it would be a hassle to install in the hundreds of thousands of schools around the world. The students' safety should be taken seriously, but there are other ways to go about this. Moreover, this is merely just my opinion about the system, and if it works, it would prove to be extremely beneficial and efficient in providing better protection for the school and the people in it. Regardless of what it is, I believe any method taken would be a step towards better protection within school.