1) The document discusses the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements for schools and libraries to receive E-Rate discounts, including using filtering technology and having an internet safety policy.
2) It provides examples of appropriate documentation for certifying that an organization is "undertaking actions" to comply with CIPA such as discussing procurement of filtering technology or internet safety policies.
3) A sample internet safety policy that complies with CIPA requirements is included, covering topics like blocking inappropriate content and monitoring student internet usage.
1. June 2, 2005
CIPA COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENT FOR SYSTEM TECHNOLOGY PLAN
http://www.sl.universalservice.org/whatsnew/misc/cipa051801.asp
OVERVIEW OF CIPA
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was signed into law on December 21,
2000. Under CIPA, no school or library may receive discounts unless it certifies that it is
enforcing a policy of Internet safety that includes the use of filtering or blocking
technology (see below). This Internet Safety Policy must protect against access, through
computers with Internet access, to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography,
or (in the case of use by minors) harmful to minors. The school or library must also
certify that it is enforcing the operation of such filtering or blocking technology during
any use of such computers by minors. Schools and libraries receiving only
Telecommunications Services are excluded from the requirements of CIPA.
Applicants must certify on their Form 486 either that they are in compliance with CIPA,
or that they are undertaking actions to put into place an Internet Safety Policy and to
procure the filtering or blocking technology in order to receive universal service
discounts.
APPROPRIATE DOCUMENTATION FOR “UNDERTAKING ACTIONS”
Pursuant to the Children's Internet Protection Act, as codified at 47 U.S.C. § 254(h) and
(l), the (system name) is undertaking such actions, including any necessary procurement
procedures, to comply with the requirements of CIPA.
COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CIPA
"Undertaking such actions" refers to actions related to implementation of the CIPA
requirements that should be in place. The requirements are:
1. Technology Protection Measure
A Technology Protection Measure is a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet
access. It must protect against access by adults and minors to visual depictions that are
obscene, child pornography, or - with respect to use of computers with Internet access by
minors - harmful to minors. It may be disabled for adults engaged in bona fide research
or other lawful purposes. For schools, the policy must also include monitoring the online
activities of minors.
2. Internet Safety Policy
The Internet Safety Policy must address the following issues:
2. June 2, 2005
a. access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web;
b. the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and
other forms of direct electronic communications;
c. unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful activities
by minors online;
d. unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding
minors; and
e. measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.
3. Public Notice and Hearing
The authority with responsibility for administration of the school or library must provide
reasonable public notice and hold at least one public hearing to address a proposed
Technology Protection Measure and Internet Safety Policy.
Following are a few examples of documentation that could demonstrate that a school
or library is "undertaking actions" to comply with CIPA. This list is not meant to be
exhaustive.
a. A published or circulated school or library board agenda with CIPA compliance
cited as a topic.
b. A circulated staff meeting agenda with CIPA compliance cited as a topic.
c. A Service Provider quote requested and received by a recipient of service or
Billed Entity which contains information on a Technology Protection Measure.
d. A draft of an RFP or other procurement procedure to solicit bids for the purchase
or provision of a Technology Protection Measure.
e. An agenda or minutes from a meeting open to the public at which an Internet
Safety Policy was discussed.
f. An agenda or minutes from a public or nonpublic meeting of a school or library
board at which procurement issues relating to the acquisition of a Technology
Protection Measure were discussed.
g. A memo to an administrative authority of a school or library from a staff member
outlining the CIPA issues not addressed by an Acceptable Use Policy currently in
place.
h. A memo or report to an administrative authority of a school or library from a staff
member describing research on available Technology Protection Measures.
i. A memo or report to an administrative authority of a school or library from a staff
member which discusses and analyzes Internet Safety Policies in effect at other
schools and libraries.
INTERNET SAFETY POLICIES AND CIPA:
Sample CIPA policy came from:
http://www.e-ratecentral.com/CIPA/cipa_policy_sample.pdf
3. June 2, 2005
APPENDIX A
Sample CIPA-Compliant Internet Safety Policy
Note: The following Internet safety policy was developed by E-Rate Central solely to
address the basic policy compliance requirements of CIPA and NCIPA for E-rate
funding. Schools and libraries adopting new or revised Internet policies may wish to
expand or modify the sample policy language.
INTERNET SAFETY POLICY
For <School or Library>
Introduction
It is the policy of <School or Library> to: (a) prevent user access over its computer
network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or
other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and
other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or
dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the
Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].
Definitions
∗
Key terms are as defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
Access to Inappropriate Material
To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be
used to block or filter Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, access to
inappropriate information.
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be
applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any
material deemed harmful to minors.
Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled or, in the
case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
Inappropriate Network Usage
To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of
the <School or Library> online computer network when using electronic mail, chat
rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications.
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of
inappropriate network usage includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called
‘hacking,’ and other unlawful activities; and (b) unauthorized disclosure, use, and
dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.
Supervision and Monitoring
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It shall be the responsibility of all members of the <School or Library> staff to supervise
and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in
accordance with this policy and the Children’s Internet protection Act.
Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures
shall be the responsibility of <Title> or designated representatives.
Adoption
This Internet Safety Policy was adopted by the Board of <School or Library> at a public
meeting, following normal public notice, on <Month, Day, Year>.
CIPA DEFINITION OF TERMS:
TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION MEASURE. The term ``technology protection
measure'' means a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual
depictions that are:
1. OBSCENE, as that term is defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States
Code;
2. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 18,
United States Code; or
3. Harmful to minors.
HARMFUL TO MINORS. The term ``harmful to minors'' means any picture, image,
graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
1. Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in
nudity, sex, or excretion;
2. Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to
what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact,
actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the
genitals; and
3. Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as
to minors.
SEXUAL ACT; SEXUAL CONTACT. The terms ``sexual act'' and ``sexual contact''
have the meanings given such terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.
5. June 2, 2005
APPENDIX B
Internet Links for Additional Information on
CIPA and Internet Safety Policies
CIPA BACKGROUND
Full text of the Children’s Internet Protection Act
http://www.fcc.gov/ccb/universal_service/chipact.doc
FCC regulations implementing CIPA; FCC 01-120
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Orders/2001/fcc01120.doc
SLD’s FAQ on E-rate certification procedures and timing
http://www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/CIPAfaq.asp