> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.goguardian.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Enable Threats and Violence Alert Categories

> Turn on Threats and Violence alert categories in GoGuardian Beacon so staff receive dashboard cards and notifications for specific threatening behaviors.

GoGuardian Beacon can detect four categories of threatening and violent behavior. By default, all Threats and Violence categories are toggled off. Super Counselors and Super Users can enable categories and configure staff notifications.

<Note>
  Threats and Violence alerts are available on Beacon Core and 24/7 only.
</Note>

The four categories are: **Guns & Bombs**, **Violent Acts**, **Bullying**, and **Historical Acts**. For definitions of each category, see [Alert Categories](/products/beacon/alert-categories).

## Enable Alert Categories

1. Go to `beacon.goguardian.com` and sign in.

2. Click **Settings** in the navigation menu.

3. Select **Alert Preferences**.

4. Turn on the categories your staff should receive alert cards for.

5. Click **Save Changes** at the bottom of the page.

Beacon generates alert cards for student online activity related to the categories that are toggled on.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/goguardian/s7oOcyDCDvZb2ExZ/images/screenshots/enable-categories/step-01.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=s7oOcyDCDvZb2ExZ&q=85&s=896964a2655157521c7854a1cb0ce6b5" alt="howtoenablecategories.png" width="947" height="924" data-path="images/screenshots/enable-categories/step-01.png" />

## Configure Staff Notifications for Categories

Enabling a category in Alert Preferences displays alert cards on the dashboard. To also send email and text notifications to staff, configure Staff Notifications separately.

1. Go to `beacon.goguardian.com` and sign in.

2. Click **Settings** in the navigation menu.

3. Select **Staff Notifications**.

4. Turn on the categories your staff should be notified about via email and text message.

5. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click **Save Changes**.

## Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Alert Categories" href="/products/beacon/alert-categories">
    Review the definitions for all four Threats and Violence alert categories.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Alert Preferences" href="/products/beacon/alert-preferences">
    Configure which alert phases generate dashboard cards and notifications.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configure Beacon Settings" href="/products/beacon/configure-beacon-settings">
    Complete the full Beacon setup checklist.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set Up Your Profile" href="/products/beacon/set-up-your-profile">
    Add your phone number and choose your notification format.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>