Children's+Internet+Protection+Act

= CIPA - Children's Internet Protection Act = toc

Definition
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is federal legislation enacted by Congress in 2000. It affects schools and libraries that provide internet access to minors and that recieve funding from the E-rate program (for helping offset the cost of Internet access or internal connections).

Guidelines
Below are the CIPA guidelines for participating institutions, as outlined in 2001 by the Federal Communications Commission.

Source: Federal Communications Commission, www.fcc.gov/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act

//What CIPA Requires//

//Schools and libraries subject to CIPA may not receive the discounts offered by the E-rate program unless they certify that they have an Internet safety policy that includes technology protection measures. The protection measures must block or filter Internet access to pictures that are: (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors). Before adopting this Internet safety policy, schools and libraries must provide reasonable notice and hold at least one public hearing or meeting to address the proposal.// //Schools subject to CIPA are required to adopt and enforce a policy to monitor online activities of minors.// //Schools and libraries subject to CIPA are required to adopt and implement an Internet safety policy addressing: (a) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet; (b) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications; (c) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities by minors online; (d) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and (e) measures restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them.//

//Schools and libraries are required to certify that they have their safety policies and technology in place before receiving E-rate funding.//

//CIPA does not affect E-rate funding for schools and libraries receiving discounts only for telecommunications, such as telephone service.// //An authorized person may disable the blocking or filtering measure during use by an adult to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.// //CIPA does not require the tracking of Internet use by minors or adults.//

School media specialists can find state-specific information on filtering laws at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Further Legislation
In October 2008, President Bush signed into effect the Broadband Data Improvement Act, which includes Title II, Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. This legislation further defines issues related to Internet safety for minors, and among other things, requires schools with Internet access to educate students about cyberbullying and "appropriate online behavior".

Source: www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1492&tab=summary

Concerns
Many media specialists and educators are concerned that the use of filters, as opposed to concentrating on educating minors on responsible internet use, is becoming a threat to minors' first amendment rights. For an in-depth discussion of this issue, please see Helen Adams' article in Knowledge Quest (referenced below).

**References**
Adams, H. (2010, September/October//).//Intellectual freedom online: The new battleground for minors' first amendment rights. //Knowledge Quest//, //39//,(1) 10-15. Retrieved from http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com/hww/jumpstart.jhtml?recid=0bc05f7a67b1790ef2dd763d541a6564b8ee7308859933fae100b487212452d96e954cb406fd3959&fmt=HAdams

//Children's Internet Protection Act//. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved from www.fcc.gov/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act

//Children and the Internet: Laws Relating to Filtering, Blocking and Usage Policies in Schools and Libraries//. (2011, January 13). National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved from www.ncsl.org/programs/lis/cip/filterlaws.htm

//S.1492: Broadband Data Improvement Act//. Govtrac.us. Retrieved from www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1492&tab=summary