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Internet Acceptable use Policy

BP 6161.40

INTERNET ACCEPTABLE USE POLICY     
                                                   

The availability of vast amounts of data, while creating enormous learning opportunities for students, creates numerous liability risks for a district.  These risks include suits by parents and students for inappropriate materials accessed via the computer network, as well as actions by computer software owners/services for unauthorized access and use of information by students, as well as by district staff.  Finally, it is important that students are provided appropriate rules and directions regarding use of the Internet service.

 

Note:  The Children’s Internet Protection Act took effect on April 20, 2001.  The law requires school districts to adopt Internet safety policies as a condition of receiving funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 7001) or universal service discounts under section 254 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. § 254).  Schools that receive funds under ESEA but do not receive universal service discounts must certify, as part of the application process, that they have in place an Internet safety policy which includes the use of filtering devices on computers with Internet access, thereby blocking entry to “visual depictions that are obscene or child pornography.”  With respect to minors, the filter must also protect against access to materials that are “harmful to minors.”  Schools must certify that they are also enforcing the use of these technology protection measures during any use of computers with Internet access, even those that are not accessible to the public.  The filter may be disabled by an administrator, supervisor, or other authorized person for bona fide research or other lawful purpose.

As a condition of receiving universal service discounts, schools must also adopt and implement an Internet safety policy that addresses (1) access by minors to inappropriate materials on the Internet; (2) safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of electronic communication; (3) unauthorized access (“hacking”) and other unlawful activities by minors online; (4) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and (5) measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors.  Schools must hold at least one public hearing before adopting the policy.  The types of materials considered inappropriate for minors will be determined by the local school board.  Schools must make this policy available to the FCC upon request.


The Board recognizes the educational and communication opportunities that exposure to the Internet and other computer networks can provide students and staff.  The Board provides access to the Internet as a means to improve the education for all of our students by taking students beyond traditional curriculum and learning activities to future-oriented curricula and problem-solving activities.  The Board has established the Internet acceptable use policy to ensure appropriate use of this resource.

Definition of the Internet

The Internet is the major global network for education, research, public service, business and information interchange.  The Internet is a collection of millions of interconnected computer networks around the world that make it possible to share information and educational resources.  The networks are owned by commercial, research, governmental, and educational organizations, as well as by individuals.

Authority

  1. The electronic information available to students and staff does not imply endorsement of the content by the district, nor does the district guarantee the accuracy of the information received on the Internet.  The district shall not be responsible for any information that may be lost, damaged, or unavailable when using the network or for any information that is retrieved via the Internet.

  2. The school district shall not be responsible for any unauthorized charges or fees resulting from access to the Internet.

  3. The use of the Internet and similar communication networks by students and staff is a privilege -- not a right.  Failure to follow established rules can lead to appropriate disciplinary action as well as the loss of access to the Internet or other networks through school accounts.  Legal action may be taken where/when appropriate.

  4. School computers and networks are the property of the School District.  At no time does the district relinquish its exclusive control of computers networks, and network resources provided for the convenience of the students and staff.

  5. Computers shall not be used to disseminate anything deemed harmful to minors as per the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

  6. The School District reserves the right to inspect and review the files and system of any computer accessing the network or found on school grounds if it has reasonable cause to suspect that a user is using the computer for illicit or illegal purposes or for purposes in violation of this policy.  Such inspection may be conducted by school authorities when they deem it necessary, without notice, without consent, and without a search warrant.

Internet Safety

Either the district network as a whole or each district computer with Internet access shall have a filtering device that blocks access to visual and non-visual depictions that are harmful or inappropriate to minors as defined by the Children’s Internet Protection Act and as determined by the Superintendent or designee.  The Superintendent or designee shall enforce the use of such filtering devices.  An administrator, supervisor, or other authorized person may disable the filtering device for bona fide research or other lawful purpose, provided the person receives prior permission from the Superintendent or system administrator.  The Superintendent or designee shall include measures in this policy’s implementation plan to address the following:

  1. Limiting student access to inappropriate matter as well as restricting access to harmful materials;

  2. Student safety and security when using electronic communications;

  3. Limiting unauthorized access, including “hacking” and other unlawful activities; and

  4. Limiting unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information of the user or any person.
Note:  The Children’s Internet Protection Act, P.L. 106-554, defines “harmful to minors” as:    …any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that – (A) taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion; (B) 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, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and (C) taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

 

Use Guidelines

Internet access is limited to only those acceptable uses as detailed in this policy unless previously authorized to the District Superintendent or designee. Internet users may not engage in unacceptable uses.

  1. School officials will use a district-developed written permission slip for Internet use.  This signed form must be on file prior to allowing students direct access to the Internet.

  2. School officials must apply the same criterion of educational suitability used for other educational resources when providing access to Internet informational resources.

  3. Students and staff have the right to examine a broad range of opinions and ideas in the educational process, including the right to locate, use, and exchange information and ideas via all information formats including interactive electronic media and the Internet.

  4. Users are responsible for the ethical and educational use of their own Internet accounts.  These accounts are to be used only by the authorized owner of the account for the authorized purpose. Access to any resources through an account other than your own is strictly prohibited. Users shall not intentionally seek information on, obtain copies of, or modify files, other data or passwords belonging to other users on the network.  No use of the network shall serve to disrupt the use of the network by others. Hardware, software and/or resources shall not be destroyed, modified, abused in any way.

  5. Users have the responsibility to respect the privacy of other Internet users. The illegal installation, use, or distribution of any copyrighted material, software, or media on district computers is prohibited.

  6. Users are expected to display proper “netiquette’ (network etiquette) at all times.

  7. Staff members shall supervise students while students are using district property, network, and/or resources to ensure that the students abide by these procedures.  Users must follow all rules and regulations posted in the computer lab or other room where computers are in use.  Users must follow the directions of the authorized staff member supervising the computer lab or other room where computers are in use.

  8. Students and staff are expected to act in a responsible, ethical, and legal manner in accordance with district policy, accepted rules of network etiquette, and federal and state law.  Specifically, the following uses are prohibited:

    1. Use of the network to facilitate illegal activity.
    2. Use of the network for commercial or for-profit purposes without prior consent of the district.
    3. Use of the network for non-work or non-school related work.
    4. Use of the network for product advertisement, political lobbying, or to forward political opinion.
    5. Use of the network for bullying, hate mail, discriminatory remarks, and/or offensive or inflammatory communication.
    6. Unauthorized or illegal installation, distribution, reproduction, or use of copyrighted materials.
    7. Use of the network to access obscene or pornographic material as defined by CIPA.
    8. Use of inappropriate language or profanity on the network as defined by district policy.
    9. Use of the network to transmit material likely to be offensive or objectionable to recipients.
    10. Use of the network for hacking or intentionally obtaining, accessing, or modifying files, passwords, and data belonging to other users.
    11. Impersonation of another user, anonymity, pseudonyms, and online handles.
    12. Use of network facilities for fraudulent copying, communications, or modification of materials in violation of federal and state copyright laws.
    13. Loading or use of unauthorized games, programs, files, or other electronic media.
    14. Use of the network to disrupt the work of other users.
    15. Destruction, modification, misuse or abuse of network hardware, software, and resources.
    16. Quoting personal communications in a public forum without the original author’s prior consent.
    17. Invading the privacy of individuals, which includes the unauthorized disclosure, dissemination, and use of information about anyone that is of a personal and/or private nature.

  9. Loss of access and other disciplinary actions shall be consequences for inappropriate use.  When appropriate, law enforcement agencies may be involved.

 (cf. 6161.5 - Web Sites/Pages)
 (cf. 6184 - Virtual/Online Courses)

Legal Reference:

            CHILDREN’S INTERNET PROTECTION ACT, P.L. 106-554
                        20 U.S.C. § 6801, et seq.
                        47 U.S.C. § 254(h) and (l)

 

KETCHIKAN GATEWAY BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Revision Date:  7/9/08

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