This article is written for Google Workspace for Education Administrators.
Introduction
The insert link feature in Google docs, slides, and sheets is a very useful tool which can help you induct relevant links throughout your draft and make it more creative and engaging for the readers. Though this particular feature have many upsides but there is one downside that we need to be aware of, this feature opens up ways through which students can unknowingly stumble upon dangerous links that can lead to potential distractions or cyber security risks that can act as a potential deterrent to the students learning curve and their device privacy.
It's suggested that schools disable this feature so as to maintain a safe and secure learning environment for their students where they can thrive and learn.
Why disable the Insert Link feature for education?
Disabling the insert link feature in Google Docs and Slides for educational institutions can provide an array benefits :
1. Enhanced online safety : By disabling this feature schools can ensure that students don't interact with inappropriate links that lead to potentially harmful content which either can be distractive in nature or can pose threat to their security and privacy.
2. Ensures Focused learning : Without the distraction created by external and non educational links students stay confined to the learning content provided by the teachers. Students stay focused on the task at hand and work toward completing the work given to them.
3. Controlled content exposure : Educators can have better control over what type of information and resources is available to the students, making sure that the learning environment is better tailored to the students needs at the moment.
Insert link feature in Google Docs
Introducing Safe Doc - A solution for disabling the Insert Link feature
Safe Doc is a very powerful browser extension that is designed especially for schools and education institutions that are using Google Workspace for educational purposes. Safe Doc provides a safe and effective way through which you can easily disable insert link feature in Google Docs, Slides, Sheets and, Drawing. By incorporating Safe Doc in their workflow administrators can customize settings of various Google Workspace tools in accordance with their school policy and can move towards making online education safe and secure for their students.
How Safe Doc blocks the Insert Link feature in Google Docs and Slides, Sheet and Drawing?
Blocking the Insert Link feature in Google Docs
Once Safe Docs is correctly installed and configured, the insert link feature will be disabled. After successful implementation if a student tries to insert a link, they will not receive any suggestions hence preventing them from using this feature.
Safe Doc removes the link suggestions in Google Docs
Blocking the Insert Link feature in Google Slides
Same for Google slides once Safe Docs is correctly installed and configured, the insert link feature will be disabled. After successful implementation if a student tries to insert a link, they will not receive any suggestions hence preventing them from using this feature.
Blocks the link suggestions in Google Slides using Safe Doc
Blocking the Insert Link feature in Google Sheet
Safe Doc blocks the link suggestions in Google Sheet
Locking the Insert Link feature in Google Drawing
Safe Doc locks the link suggestions in Google Drawing
Steps to disable the Insert Link feature
Step 1 : Install Safe Doc : The first step is to install Safe doc in your Google Workspace environment.
Step 2 : Configure Safe doc settings : Once you have successfully installed Safe Doc, you can start configuring its settings in accordance to your requirements.
Step 3 : Access Google Admin Console : Now, navigate to the Google Admin Console. In the Google Admin Console, click on Devices followed by Chrome. Then, select Apps and Extensions and click on Users and Browsers.
Step 4 : Copy the required policy and paste it :
Locate the policy that you wish to apply and copy it. The policy will display in a specific format similar to the example provided below:
"EnableExplore": {
"Value": false
},
Step 5: Save the Policy: After copying the policy, click the Save button to apply it.
How to configure Safe Doc?
First of all, ensure the deployment of Safe Doc on your students' Chrome browsers, and review the xFanatical Safe Doc Configuration document.
Subsequently, incorporate the BlockInsertlink policy into your Safe Doc configuration, setting its value to true.
Conclusion
Hopefully after reading this article you have understood why disabling the insert link feature in Google Docs, Slides, Sheets and Drawing is essential for schools to provide a safer learning environment to their students. Please follow all the steps in the correct sequence in order to correctly configure Safe Doc and to implement the policy properly. Please feel free to comment below if you face any problem or have any questions, we will be happy to assist you.
To learn more about how Safe Doc can help enhance online safety in your educational institution, visit our website Safe Doc.
If you have yet to install Safe Doc, please get a 30 days trial.
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