Policy 8271

ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY INSTRUCTION
8271 INTERNET SAFETY/INTERNET CONTENT FILTERING

In compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and Regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the District will ensure the use of technology protection measures (i.e., filtering or blocking of access to certain material on the Internet) on all District computers with Internet access. These technology protection measures apply to Internet access by both adults and minors with regard to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, or, with respect to the use of computers by minors, considered harmful to students. The District will provide for the education of students regarding appropriate online behavior including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms and regarding cyberbullying awareness and response. Further, appropriate monitoring of online activities of minors, as determined by the building or program supervisor, will also be enforced to ensure the safety of students when accessing the Internet.

Further, the Board's decision to utilize technology protection measures and other safety procedures for staff and students when accessing the Internet fosters the educational mission of the District, including the selection of appropriate instructional materials and activities to enhance the schools' programs and to help ensure the safety of personnel and students while online.

However, no filtering technology can guarantee that staff and students will be prevented from accessing any inappropriate sites. Proper safety procedures, as deemed appropriate by the applicable administrator or Chief Information Officer, will be provided to ensure compliance with the CIPA.

In addition to the use of technology protection measures, the monitoring of online activities and access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet may include, but will not be limited to, the following guidelines:

a) Ensuring the presence of a teacher and/or other appropriate District personnel when students are accessing the Internet including, but not limited to, the supervision of minors when using email, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications. As determined by the appropriate administrator, the use of email, chat rooms, as well as social networking platforms, may be blocked as deemed necessary to ensure the safety of students;
b) Monitoring logs of access in order to keep track of the websites visited by students as a measure to restrict access to materials harmful to minors;
c) In compliance with this Internet Safety Policy as well as the District's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), unauthorized access, and other unlawful activities by minors are prohibited by the District and student violations of these policies may result in disciplinary action; and
d) Appropriate supervision and notification to minors regarding the prohibition as to unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding students.

The determination of what is "inappropriate" for minors will be determined by the District and/or designated school official(s), the definition of which may vary depending on the circumstances of the situation and the age of the students involved in online research.

The terms "minor," "child pornography," "harmful to minors," "obscene," "technology protection measure," "sexual act," and "sexual contact" will be as defined in accordance with CIPA and other applicable laws or regulations.

Under certain specified circumstances, the blocking or filtering technology measure(s) may be disabled for adults engaged in bona fide research or other lawful purposes. The power to disable can only be exercised by an administrator, supervisor, or other person authorized by the District.

The District will provide certification, in accordance with the requirements of CIPA, to document the District's adoption and enforcement of its Internet Safety Policy, including the operation and enforcement of technology protection measures (i.e., blocking or filtering of access to certain material on the Internet) for all District computers with Internet access.

Internet Safety Instruction

In accordance with New York State Education Law, the District may provide to students in grades K through 12 instruction designed to promote the proper and safe use of the Internet. The Commissioner will provide technical assistance in the development of curricula for this course of study which will be age appropriate and developed according to the needs and abilities of students at successive grade levels in order to provide awareness, skills, information, and support to aid in the safe usage of the Internet.

Additionally, students will be educated on appropriate interactions with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, as well as cyberbullying awareness and response.

Access to Inappropriate Content/Material and Use of Personal Technology or Electronic Devices

Despite the existence of District policy, regulations, and guidelines, it is virtually impossible to completely prevent access to content or material that may be considered inappropriate for students. Students may have the ability to access this content or material from their home, other locations off school premises, and/or with a student's own personal technology or electronic device on school grounds or at school events.

The District is not responsible for inappropriate content or material accessed via a student's own personal technology or electronic device or via an unfiltered Internet connection received through a student's own personal technology or electronic device.

Notification/Authorization

The District's AUP will be disseminated to parents and students in order to provide notice of the school's requirements, expectations, and student's obligations when accessing the Internet.

The District has provided reasonable public notice and has held at least one public hearing or meeting to address this policy prior to Board adoption. Additional public notice and a hearing or meeting is not necessary if and when amendments are made to this policy.

This policy must be made available to the FCC upon request. Furthermore, appropriate actions will be taken to ensure the ready availability to the public of this policy as well as any other District policies relating to the use of technology.

This policy is required to be retained by the school for at least five years after the funding year in which the policy was relied upon to obtain E-rate funding.


Policy References:
20 USC § 7131
47 USC §§ 254(h) and 254(l)
47 CFR Part 54
Education Law § 814

NOTE:  Refer also to 
Policy 7315 - Student Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)
Policy 7316 - Student Use of Personal Technology 
District Code of Conduct



Adopted: 6/22/99
Revised: 9/6/22

Policy 8271