IJNDCD - Internet Safety

Date Adopted: 19 June 2012

Current Review / Revision: 10 April 2024

It is the policy Emery School District to: (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)].

Definitions
Key terms are as defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

Minor: The term “minor” means any individual who has not attained the age of 17 years.

Technology Protection Measure The term ``technology protection measure' means a specific technology that blocks or  filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:

1. Obscene: as defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code;
   
2. Child Pornography as defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code.

Harmful to Minors:  The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

1. Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;
   
2. 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
   
3. Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.
   Sexual Act/Sexual Contact: as defined in section 2246 of Title 18, United States Code.
   

Access to Inappropriate Material
To the extent practical, technology protection measures (or “Internet filters”) shall be used to block or filter Internet, or other forms of electronic communications, access to inappropriate information. Any attempt to disable or avoid the district internet filtering is strictly prohibited.

Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, blocking shall be applied to visual depictions of material deemed obscene or child pornography, or to any material deemed harmful to minors.

Subject to staff supervision, technology protection measures may be disabled for adults or, in the case of minors, minimized only for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.

Inappropriate Network Usage
To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Emery School District online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications.

Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking,’ and other unlawful activities; and (b) unauthorized disclosure, use, dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors, and the use or sharing of copy written material.

Education, Supervision and Monitoring
Minors shall be educated, supervised and monitored in the appropriate usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy, the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act, and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.

Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the district IT department under the supervision of appropriate district administrative personnel.

Emery School District or designated representatives will provide age- appropriate training for students who use the district’s Internet facilities. The training provided will be designed to promote the district’s commitment to: 

a. The standards and acceptable use of Internet services as set forth in the Internet Safety Policy;
b. Minor safety with regard to:

 i.   safety on the Internet;

 ii.  appropriate behavior while on online, on social networking Web sites, and in chat rooms; and

 iii.  cyber bullying awareness and response.

c. Compliance with the E-rate requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (“CIPA”).

All staff and students will sign and follow the provisions of the District's Acceptable Use policy and accept the terms of any other technology-related district policies, whether for district-owned equipment or for personal devices accessing the district’s internet services.

All visitors will be notified of and expected to follow the provisions of the District’s Acceptable Use policy and accept the terms of any other technology-related District policies, whether for District-owned equipment or for personal devices accessing the District’s internet services.