CIPA
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was signed into law on December 21, 2000. To receive support for Internet access and internal connections services from the Universal Service Fund (USF), school and library authorities must certify that they are enforcing a policy of Internet safety that includes measures to block or filter Internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual depictions. The relevant authority with responsibility for administration of the eligible school or library must certify the status of its compliance for the purpose of CIPA in order to receive USF support.
In general, school and library authorities must certify either that they have complied with the requirements of CIPA or that CIPA does not apply to them because they are receiving discounts for telecommunications services only.
CIPA Requirements:
1. Technology Protection Measure
2. Internet Safety Policy
3. Public Notice and Hearing
CIPA Tips
Technology Protection Measure
A technology protection measure (e.g. Internet filtering software) 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.
Internet Safety Policy
The Internet safety policy must address the following issues:
- Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web
- The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications
- Unauthorized access including "hacking" and other unlawful activities by minors online
- Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors
- Measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors
- New effective October 2008, as part of S. 1492, Broadband Data Improvement Act, schools will need to update their Internet Acceptable Use Policy to state that they are "educating minors about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response."
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.
For further details on what to say at your board meeting, see: Board Meeting Discussion for CIPA
CIPA Tips
If your school or library is selected for audit, you must have documentation to support your CIPA compliance:
- Technology Protection Measure: copy of invoice from Internet filtering software company that shows you purchased the filtering software. If you have an on-site audit, you may need to demonstrate how the filtering software blocks or filters Internet access and how it protects against access by adults and minors.
- Internet Safety Policy: Copy of your board approved Internet acceptable use policy. Be sure to READ YOUR POLICY and make sure it addresses the required issues including October 2008 changes related to Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. Many of the policies developed prior to CIPA (2001) do not meet the CIPA requirements. Most likely you need to update your policy and have it approved at your next regularly scheduled board or governing body meeting.
- Public Notice and Hearing: Copy of board agenda and minutes when CIPA was discussed. The first notice and hearing was most likely held prior to July 1, 2002. Anytime you make a change to your technology protection measure or your internet acceptable use policy, you MUST notify your community of the change. The notice and hearing can be done at your regularly scheduled board meeting or governing body meeting. Be sure to keep copies of the board agenda and minutes.