The following rules and regulations implement the Internet Safety Policy adopted by the Board of Education to make safe for children the use of district computers for access to the Internet and World Wide Web.
- Definitions
In accordance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act,
- Child pornography refers to any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct, where (a) the production of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; (b) such visual depiction is a digital image, computer image, or computer-generated image that is, or is indistinguishable from that of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; or (c) such visual depiction has been created, adapted or modified to appear that an identifiable minor is engaging in sexually explicit conduct
- Harmful to minors means 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.
II. Blocking and Filtering Measures
- The Director of Technology shall secure information about, and ensure the purchase or provision of, a technology protection measure that blocks access from all district computers to visual depictions on the Internet and World Wide Web that are obscene, child pornography or harmful to minors.
- The district’s Director of Technology shall be responsible for ensuring the installation and proper use of any Internet blocking and filtering technology protection measure obtained by the district.
- The Director of Technology or his or her designee may disable or relax the district’s Internet blocking and filtering technology measure only for adult staff members conducting research related to the discharge of their official responsibilities.
- The Director of Technology shall monitor the online activities of adult staff members for whom the blocking and filtering technology measure has been disabled or relaxed to ensure there is not access to visual depictions that are obscene or child pornography.
III. Monitoring of Online Activities
- The district’s computer network coordinator shall be responsible for monitoring to ensure that the online activities of staff and students are consistent with the district’s Internet Safety Policy and this regulation. He or she may inspect, copy, review, and store at any time, and without prior notice, any and all usage of the district’s computer network for accessing the Internet and World Wide Web and direct electronic communications, as well as any and all information transmitted or received during such use. All users of the district’s computer network shall have no expectation of privacy regarding any such materials.
- Except as otherwise authorized under the district’s Computer Network or Acceptable Use Policy, students may use the district’s computer network to access the Internet and World Wide Web only during supervised class time, study periods or at the school library, and exclusively for research related to their course work.
- Staff supervising students using district computers shall help to monitor student online activities to ensure students access the Internet and World Wide Web, and/or participate in authorized forms of direct electronic communications in accordance with the district’s Internet Safety Policy and this regulation.
- The district’s computer network coordinator shall monitor student online activities to monitor whether students are engaging in hacking (gaining or attempting to gain unauthorized access to other computers or computer systems), and other unlawful activities.
IV. Training
- The district’s computer teachers shall provide training to students on the requirements of the Internet Safety Policy and this regulation during the course of the school year.
- The training of students shall highlight the various activities prohibited by the Internet Safety Policy, and the responsibility of staff to monitor student online activities to ensure compliance therewith.
- The district shall provide age-appropriate instruction to students regarding appropriate online behavior. Such instruction shall include, but not be limited to: positive interactions with others online, including on social networking sites and in chat rooms; proper online social etiquette; protection from online predators and personal safety; and how to recognize and respond to cyberbullying and other threats.
- Students shall be directed to consult with their classroom teacher if they are unsure whether their contemplated activities when accessing the Internet or Worldwide Web are directly related to their course work.
- Staff and students will be advised to not disclose, use and disseminate personal information about students when accessing the Internet or engaging in authorized forms of direct electronic communications, unless such disclosure is directly related to the performance of their job or educational duties.
- Staff and students will also be informed of the range of possible consequences attendant to a violation of the Internet Safety Policy and this regulation.
V. Reporting of Violations
- Violations of the Internet Safety Policy and this regulation by students and staff shall be reported to the Building Principal.
- The Principal shall take appropriate corrective action in accordance with authorized disciplinary procedures.
- Penalties may include, but are not limited to, the revocation of computer access privileges, as well as disciplinary consequences in the case of students and counseling or other discipline in accordance with any applicable policies or collective bargaining agreement in the case of staff members.
Adoption date: August 13, 2018