Policy 8311 – Internet Safety/Internet Content Filtering Policy

SUBJECT:  INTERNET SAFETY/INTERNET CONTENT FILTERING POLICY

      In compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and Regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the District will ensure the use of technology protection measures (i.e., filtering or blocking of access to certain material on the Internet) on all District computers with Internet access. These technology protection measures apply to Internet access by both adults and minors with regard to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, or, with respect to the use of computers by minors, considered harmful to students. The District will provide for the education of students regarding appropriate online behavior including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and regarding cyberbullying awareness and response. Further, appropriate monitoring of online activities of minors, as determined by the building or program supervisor, will also be enforced to ensure the safety of students when accessing the Internet.

      Further, the Board of Education’s decision to utilize technology protection measures and other safety procedures for staff and students when accessing the Internet fosters the educational mission of the District, including the selection of appropriate instructional materials and activities to enhance the schools’ programs; and to help ensure the safety of personnel and students while online.

      However, no filtering technology can guarantee that staff and students will be prevented from accessing any inappropriate sites. Proper safety procedures, as deemed appropriate by the applicable administrator or program supervisor, will be provided to ensure compliance with the CIPA.

      In addition to the use of technology protection measures, the monitoring of online activities and access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet may include, but will not be limited to, the following guidelines:

  1. Ensuring the presence of a teacher and/or other appropriate District personnel when students are accessing the Internet including, but not limited to, the supervision of minors when using email, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications. As determined by the appropriate building administrator, the use of email, chat rooms, as well as social networking websites, may be blocked as deemed necessary to ensure the safety of such students;
  2. Monitoring logs of access in order to keep track of the websites visited by students as a measure to restrict access to materials harmful to minors;
  3. In compliance with this Internet Safety Policy as well as the District’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), unauthorized access, and other unlawful activities by minors are prohibited by the District and student violations of these policies may result in disciplinary action; and
  4. Appropriate supervision and notification to minors regarding the prohibition as to unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding students. 

Notification/Authorization

      The District’s AUP will be disseminated to parents and students in order to provide notice of the school’s requirements, expectations, and student’s obligations when accessing the Internet.

      The District has provided reasonable public notice and has held at least one public hearing or meeting to address this Policy prior to Board adoption. Additional public notice and a hearing or meeting is not necessary when amendments are made to this Policy.

      This policy must be made available to the FCC upon request. Furthermore, appropriate actions will be taken to ensure the ready availability to the public of this policy as well as any other District policies relating to the use of technology.

      This policy is required to be retained by the school for at least five (5) years after the funding year in which the policy was relied upon to obtain E-rate funding.

20 USC Section 7131
47 USC Sections 254(h) and 254(l)
47 CFR Part 54
Education Law Section 814

NOTE:   Refer also to Policy #7314 — Student Use Policy (AUP)
District Code of Conduct

Adopted: 4/25/01
Revised: 11/17/04
Revised: 10/20/11
Revised: 02/09/12
Revised: 05/22/24