| The Children's Internet Protection Act requires filtering and Internet Safety Policies for schools and libraries receiving federal technology funding. The following three items, specifically, are required:
1. Technology Protection Measure
A Technology Protection Measure is a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access. It must protect against access by adults and minors to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or - with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors - harmful to minors. It may be disabled for adults engaged in bona fide research or other lawful purposes. For schools, the policy must also include monitoring the online activities of minors.
Please note: The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld the requirement that libraries receiving internet access or internal connections funding must also filter all library computers. Because this is a recent ruling, the FCC has determined that libraries are permitted to be "undertaking actions" to become CIPA compliant during the E-rate 2003-2004 Funding Year. Full compliance is required by July 1, 2004 (the start of Year 7 services).
2. Internet Safety Policy
The Internet Safety Policy must address the following issues: access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web; the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications; unauthorized access, including so-called "hacking," and other unlawful activities by minors online; unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.
3. Public Notice and Hearing
The authority with responsibility for administration of the school or library must provide reasonable public notice and hold at least one public hearing to address a proposed Technology Protection Measure and Internet Safety Policy.
As of August, 2003, all schools and libraries are required to use the new Form 486, dated August 2003, to certify their CIPA compliance.
For specific SLD-provided information pertaining to CIPA, deadlines, and forms, see the CIPA guidance provided in the SLD website's Reference Area: www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/.
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