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Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policies

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Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policies:
The Children's Internet Protection Act went into effect on April 20, 2001. All schools receiving discount rates for Internet access, service, or connections through the eRate program must comply with this act. To meet CIPA requirements for an Internet Safety Policy, the following topics must be addressed:

Minors and access to inappropriate materials on the Internet or World Wide Web
Restriction of access to material deemed 'harmful to minors'
Plans to monitor minors' Internet use at school
Safety and security for minors when using email and other forms of electronic communication such as Instant Messaging
Unlawful online activities committed by minors such as 'hacking'
Unlawful disclosure, use, or distribution of personal information about minors

A complete Internet Safety Policy provides for use of a filtering software program or service on all Internet-connected computers and written policies that include an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to be read and signed by students, parents, and staff. The filtering provisions generally cover the first three points listed above, while the Acceptable Use Policy addresses the last three. Schools are also required to hold public meetings regarding the Internet Safety Policy.

Tools to Use:
CIPA Guidelines: Visit the Universal Service Administrative Company to find updates about CIPA and basic guideline information.

Acceptable Use Policy: Technology Planning Checklist
An AUP is a legal document and should be reviewed by an attorney prior to being used. Because there are differences in Internet usage for students and adults, most experts recommend separate AUPs to accommodate the differences.

Resources

	Acceptable Use Policies: A Handbook (VA Dept. of Education)
	This electronic handbook from the State of Virginia provides links to various sources of information that may be helpful to administrators, teachers, library media specialists, and parents in the development of a local AUP.

	Acceptable Use Presentation
	Using this Acceptable Use Policies presentation you will learn about what constitutes an appropriate AUP and what you, as a leader, must do to make sure that your school or district has one in place. Implementing and enforcing your AUP will ensure that all users know the “rules of the road” and practice safe computing.

	Sample Internet Safety Policies and AUPs
	Bellingham Public Schools, WA: Samples of both Board policies and AUP forms Alexandria City Public Schools, VA: Example of Board policy regarding Acceptable Use of Computer Systems Davis School District, UT: Samples of AUPs for school staff, secondary and elementary students, and Internet/Intranet publishing guidelines.

Technology Planning Checklist

Acceptable Use polices are an important element of a plan to meet CIPA requirements and to assist staff, students and others to:

use email and Internet services responsibly to support the goals of your school or district.
define acceptable use of electronic information and minimize institutional liability.
serve as an insurance policy to promote responsible use and protect users.

In establishing your AUP, confirm that each item on the checklist is addressed. Once the AUP is complete, all students (and their parents) and staff that have access to the Internet should read and sign a copy confirming that they understood the rules for use.

As the AUP establishes the rules for how the technology is to be used at all levels of the district and schools, its development should have input and support from administration, teachers, parents, and students when appropriate.

To reflect the standards and culture of your school or district the AUP should reflect the input of all the stakeholders including:

Parents
Community
PTA/Parent Clubs
Teachers
Principals
Classified Staff
Students

The Acceptable Use Policy should make provision for:

Defining who is covered by the policy, and an annual notification clause including required signatures from students and parents and/or staff members
Setting expectations for student and staff behavior when using school equipment, including a description of Netetiquette
Defining the educational purpose for using email and the Internet and establishing parameters for when and where students and staff may access school-supported Internet service
The process for reporting inappropriate use
Making compliance part of the school's discipline policy including consequences and an appeal process
A statement of the limit or institutional liability
A statement of the right of the institution to censor material read by students based upon instructional concerns
A statement pertaining to copyright policy and the institution's intent to comply with copyright laws
Specific statements regarding use of obscenity or profanity while using the Internet, illegal activities such as 'hacking,' and unlawful disclosure of personal information
Provision for teachers or others to signify that they have explained the requirements of the AUP to students
A statement of non-liability referring to the possibility of non-delivery or network malfunction
Policies on the use of the email system including:
- Educational use
- Privacy
- Personal use
- Length of time email can be saved on the mail server