Internet Safety
Introduction
It is the policy of Weatherford ISD to:
- prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications;
- prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity;
- prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and
- 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 (CIPA).
Access to Inappropriate Material
To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be used to block or to filter Internet or other forms of electronic communications in order to limit access to inappropriate information.
Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material:
- deemed to be obscene as that term is defined in Section 1460 of Title 18, United States Code,
- deemed to be child pornography, as that term is defined in Section 2256 of Title 18, United States Code,
- or deemed to be any material harmful to minors, meaning any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:
- Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
- 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, (as defined in Section 2246 of Title 18, United States Code), actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and
- Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors [Weatherford ISD CQ (Legal)].
- Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled for adults 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 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:
- unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking,’ and other unlawful activities; and
- unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.
Education, Supervision and Monitoring
It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Weatherford Independent School District staff to educate, supervise, and monitor appropriate usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with:
- this Internet Safety Policy,
- the Weatherford ISD Acceptable Use Policy (AUP),
- Weatherford ISD Board Policy CQ (Legal),
- Weatherford ISD Board Policy CQ (Local),
- the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA),
- the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act,
- and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent or designated representatives.
Students acknowledge acceptance of Weatherford Independent School District's Internet Safety guidelines upon receipt of the Student Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy at the beginning of each school year. Ongoing age appropriate training will be provided by all Weatherford ISD staff throughout the school year and will promote the District's commitment to:
- The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth in the Internet Safety Policy;
- Student safety with regard to:
- safety on the Internet;
- appropriate behavior while on online, on social networking Web sites, and in chat rooms; and
- cyberbullying awareness and response.
- Compliance with the E-rate requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
Policy adapted from “Sample CIPA Compliant Internet Safety Policy” created by eRate Central http://e-ratecentral.com/CIPA/cipa_policy_sample.pdf.