Oberlin Cable Co-Op Launches Bark In Just 5 Weeks With the Calix Broadband Platform To Protect Local Youth Across Their Ohio Community

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) today announced that member-owned Oberlin Cable Co-Op (Oberlin) is promoting digital equity by making the family-focused social media monitoring tool Bark available at a 60 percent discount in their northern Ohio community. Regardless of financial means, every family and child deserves access to safe and secure broadband. Oberlin leverages their investment in the Calix broadband platform to deliver security-focused managed services like Bark that differentiate them in competitive broadband markets. Oberlin has built on a noteworthy track record of collaboration with local institutions and government, embedding their business further into the lives of their members. By doing so, the broadband service provider (BSP) joins a growing number of visionary leaders within the cable segment who are transforming their value propositions and making a positive difference for their communities.

“Bark is all about protecting the minds of our youth and loved ones,” said Jay Shrewsbury, general manager at Oberlin Cable Co-Op. “The level of security this managed service offers affects every household and member within our community in a positive, impactful way and has become a shared initiative among our local leaders.”

Bark leverages AI to monitor social media platforms, text messages, emails, and 30+ apps—and alerts parents and guardians when a child faces online dangers or alarming content. This gives families the information they need to intervene and take immediate action. Since Bark is a fully integrated managed service for the Calix platform, Oberlin launched it in only five weeks with Calix Smart Start for Managed Services.

In 2020, the member-owned cooperative launched their Digital Equity and Inclusive Initiatives program to make affordable, competitive services available for residents who need wireless internet access. The program includes access to educational materials to assist with homework and access to medical, employment, and other critical resources only available online. Bark is the latest addition to the program, to protect teens and tweens in the community from the dire effects of unchecked cyberbullying and other digital dangers. Oberlin’s Bark offering is endorsed by both the police chief of Oberlin, Ohio and The City of Oberlin’s Equity Division.