Internet and Technology Safety Children's Internet Protection Act - Secondary Students, Policy No. 582

Printable PDF Board Policy 582

It is the policy of the technology center 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 or digital 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 U.S.C. §254(h)] and Oklahoma law [Okla. Stat. tit. 70, § 11-202]

Definitions

The determination of what is “inappropriate” for minors shall be determined by the technology center. It is acknowledged that the determination of such “inappropriate” material may vary depending upon the circumstances of the situation and the age of the students involved in online research and activity.

The terms “minor,” “child pornography,” “harmful to minors,” “obscene,” “technology protection measures,” “sexual act,” and “sexual contact” shall be defined in accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, Oklahoma law, and any other applicable laws/regulations as appropriate and implemented by the technology center.

Technology Protection Measures

To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet Filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet (or other forms of electronic or digital 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.

Training Requirement

Any individual who uses the technology center’s resources to access the Internet or engage in any electronic or digital communication is required to participate in the technology center’s education efforts (undertaken pursuant to the Children’s Internet Protection Act) and comply with the technology center’s acceptable use policy. These efforts will be age appropriate and be based on the individual’s status as an employee or student.

Supervision and Monitoring

All employees are responsible for supervising and monitoring student use of the Internet in accordance with the technology center’s technology policies and the Children’s Internet Protection Act. The IT Services director shall establish and implement procedures regarding technology protection measures. No individual will be permitted to use technology resources in a manner inconsistent with the technology center’s policies.

Personal Safety

Employees and students shall not use the technology center’s resources in any manner that jeopardizes personal safety. Students and employees must follow all technology policies, including the Acceptable Use of Internet and Electronic and Digital Communications Devices policy, which details the technology center’s safe use standards.

Certification and Verification

The technology center shall provide certification, pursuant to the requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act, to document the technology center’s adoption and enforcement of its Internet and Technology Safety Policy, including the operation and enforcement of technology protection measures for all technology center computers with Internet access.

The technology center shall also obtain verification from any provider of digital or online library database resources that all the resources they provide to the technology center are in compliance with Oklahoma law and the technology center's Internet and Technology Safety Policy. If any provider of digital or online library resources fails to comply, the technology center shall withhold payment, pending verification of compliance. If any provider of digital or online library resources fails to timely verify compliance, the technology center shall consider the provider's act of noncompliance a breach of contract. 

ReportIng

No later than December 1 of each year, Oklahoma law provides that libraries shall submit to the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives and President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate an aggregate written report on any issues related to provider compliance with Internet technology measures as required under Oklahoma law.

Employee Liability

Employees of the technology center shall not be exempt from prosecution for willful violations of state law prohibiting indecent exposure to obscene material or child pornography as provided under Oklahoma law [Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1021].

Reference: 47 U.S.C. § 254(h); OKLA. STAT. tit. 70, § 11-202; OKLA. STAT. tit. 21, § 1021.