4526.1-R Internet Safety Policy Regulation
- 4000: Instruction
4526.1-R Internet Safety Policy Regulation
The following rules and regulations implement the Internet Safety Policy adopted by the Board of Education to make safe for children the use of district computers for access to the Internet and World Wide Web.
- Definitions
In accordance with the Children's Internet Protection Act,
- Child pornography refers to any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture or computer or computer generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where the production of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. It also includes any such visual depiction that (a) is, or appears to be, of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or (b) has been created, adapted or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or (c) is advertised, promoted, presented, described, or distributed in such a manner that conveys the impression that the material is or contains a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
- Harmful to minors means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that (a) taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; (b) 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 (c) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
- Child pornography refers to any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture or computer or computer generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where the production of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. It also includes any such visual depiction that (a) is, or appears to be, of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or (b) has been created, adapted or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or (c) is advertised, promoted, presented, described, or distributed in such a manner that conveys the impression that the material is or contains a visual depiction of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
- Blocking and Filtering Measures
- The Superintendent or his or her designee shall secure information about, and ensure the purchase or provision of, a technology-protection measure that blocks access from all district computers to visual depictions on the Internet and World Wide Web that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors.
- The district's Coordinator of Information Technology shall be responsible for ensuring the installation and proper use of any Internet blocking and filtering technology protection measure obtained by the district: The district shall make every reasonable effort to block and filter inappropriate Web sites; however, with the rapidly changing nature of this technology, it is impossible to ensure that all objectionable sites are inaccessible. The district's Coordinator of Information Technology shall review blocking and filtering technology measures on a regular basis to assist the district in being up-to-date with the newest protection measures.
- The district shall utilize a commercial Internet filter that is designed for schools and is updated on a regular basis. If a teacher finds that the filter has blocked an appropriate, educational Web site, he or she may inform the building's principal, who shall then notify, via e-mail, the Coordinator of Information Technology of the request to unblock the site. Similarly, if a teacher would like to request that a site be blocked, he or she should inform the building's principal, who shall then notify, via e-mail, the Coordinator of Information Technology.
- The Coordinator of Information Technology shall have the ability, but not the duty, to monitor the online activities of network users.
- The Superintendent or his or her designee shall secure information about, and ensure the purchase or provision of, a technology-protection measure that blocks access from all district computers to visual depictions on the Internet and World Wide Web that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors.
- Monitoring of Online Activities
- The district's Coordinator of Information Technology shall have the right, but not the duty, to monitor the online activities of staff and students. This is to ensure that computer usage by staff and students is consistent with the district's Internet Safety Policy and this regulation. The district's Coordinator of Information Technology may inspect, copy, review, and store at any time, and without prior notice, any and all usage of the district's computer network for accessing the Internet and World Wide Web and direct electronic communications, as well as any and all information transmitted or received during such use. All users of the district's computer network shall have no expectation of privacy regarding any such materials.
- Except as otherwise authorized under the district's Computer Network Acceptable Use Policy, students may use the district's computer network to access the Internet and World Wide Web during supervised class time, study periods or at the school library, and for research related to their course work.
- Staff, supervising students using district computers, shall help to monitor student online activities to ensure students access the Internet and World Wide Web, and/or participate in authorized forms of direct electronic communications in accordance with the district's Internet Safety Policy and this regulation.
- The district's Coordinator of Information Technology shall have the right to but not the duty, to monitor student online activities to ensure that students are not engaging in hacking (gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems), and other unlawful activities.
- The district's Coordinator of Information Technology shall have the right, but not the duty, to monitor the online activities of staff and students. This is to ensure that computer usage by staff and students is consistent with the district's Internet Safety Policy and this regulation. The district's Coordinator of Information Technology may inspect, copy, review, and store at any time, and without prior notice, any and all usage of the district's computer network for accessing the Internet and World Wide Web and direct electronic communications, as well as any and all information transmitted or received during such use. All users of the district's computer network shall have no expectation of privacy regarding any such materials.
- Training
- The district's Coordinator of Information Technology or his/her designee, shall provide age appropriate training to students and staff on the requirements of the Internet Safety Policy and this regulation at the beginning of each school year.
- The training of students and staff shall be designed to highlight the standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth by District Policies:
- 4526 — Computer Network Acceptable Use.
- 4526-1 — Internet Safety
- Compliance with the E-rate requirements of the Children's Internet Protection Act ("CIPA")
- With regards to students, the training must address the following:
- General safety on the Internet
- Appropriate behavior while online with regards to social settings such as social networking Web sites, any online collaborative services such as blogs and chat rooms (where authorized)
- cyberbullying awareness and response
- It will also demonstrate to staff, their responsibility to monitor student online activities to ensure compliance therewith.
- Students shall be directed to consult with their classroom teacher if they are unsure whether their contemplated activities when accessing the Internet or World Wide Web are directly related to their course work.
- Students and staff will be advised to not disclose, use and disseminate personal information about students when accessing the Internet or engaging in authorized forms of direct electronic communications.
- Students and staff will also be informed of the range of possible consequences attendant to a violation of the Internet Safety Policy and this regulation.
- The district's Coordinator of Information Technology or his/her designee, shall provide age appropriate training to students and staff on the requirements of the Internet Safety Policy and this regulation at the beginning of each school year.
- Reporting of Violations
- Violations of the Internet Safety Policy and this regulation by students and staff shall be reported to a building administrator and Coordinator of Information Technology.
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The building administrator shall take appropriate corrective action in accordance with authorized disciplinary procedures.
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In the event a violation is also illegal as per state or federal statute, the district is responsible for reporting it to the proper law enforcement agency.
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Penalties may include, but are not limited to, the revocation of computer access privileges, as well as school suspension in the case of students and disciplinary charges in the case of teachers.
- Violations of the Internet Safety Policy and this regulation by students and staff shall be reported to a building administrator and Coordinator of Information Technology.
Ref:
Public Law No. 106-554
47 USC §254
20 USC §6801
Cross reference:
Internet Safety Policy #4526.1
Computer Network Acceptable Use Policy #4526 Computer Network Acceptable Use Regulation #4526-R Student/Staff Attestation Form #4526-F
Approved by the Board of Education: 02/13/07
Approved by the Board of Education: 01/18/18
Revision Sent to the Board of Education for Information: 02/15/18
Revision approved by the Board of Education: 03/15/18
Approved by the Board of Education: 06/18/20
Revision approved by the Board of Education: 01/19/23