What is CIPA?
The Children’s
Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law that was passed by Congress and
signed into law.
Who proposed CIPA and when?
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) proposed CIPA on January
19, 1999.
When was CIPA passed?
CIPA was passed
on December 21, 2000.
Why was CIPA passed?
CIPA was passed
to address the need for schools and libraries to have policies in place to
protect students from offensive things on the Internet.
What doe CIPA mean for schools or
libraries?
Requirements are
placed on any school or library that receives funding for Internet access or
internal connections through the E-rate program.
What is the E-rate program?
The E-rate
program allows more affordable technology for libraries and schools that are eligible.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued rules in 2001 that
implemented CIPA.
What are the
requirements under CIPA?
1.) Schools and libraries that receive E-rate
funding must certify that they have a specific piece of technology that blocks
or filters Internet access. The filter must protect adults and minors
against child pornography, visual depictions that are obscene, and for
computers used by minors, things that are harmful to minors.
2.) Under CIPA schools must adopt and enforce
policies to monitor minors’ online activities.
3.) School and libraries must adopt and
implement a policy to address:
a.) access by
minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet
b.) safety and
security of minors when chat rooms, electronic mail
or other forms
of direct electronic communication are in use
c.) unauthorized
access, including so called hacking and other
unlawful
activities by minors online
d.)
unauthorized, use, disclosure, and dissemination of personal
information
regarding minors
e.) restricting minor’s access o harmful
material
4.) Schools and libraries must certify
they have safety technology and policies in place before receiving E-rate funding.
5.) An authorized
person may disable the blocking or filtering measure during any use by an adult
to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
6.) Tracking of
Internet use by minors or adults is not required.
When does CIPA not
affect a school or library?
CIPA does not affect E-rate funding if the school or library receives
the discount for telecommunications only. (i.e. telephone services)
