Access to the World Wide Web is getting easier and easier. And those who access it are getting younger and younger. Today, children are getting smart phones before middle school! I didn't get a cell phone until I was 16, and the one I got hardly had a texting plan, much less a data plan for internet usage. Though schools may not be able to control what pops up on a student's cell phone screen or home computer, they have an obligation to regulate what can come across the screens that they own. Increasing usage and access to internet in schools caused Congress to make the following federal regulations.
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2000 requires that schools and libraries who wish to receive funds for technology hardware and internet access under the E-rate program have a certified internet safety policy that meets the following requirements:
- Protective measures that block or filter websites and webpages that are inappropriate and harmful to minors.
- Monitors the online activities of minors (e.g search histories).
- Provides education to minors about appropriate online behavior in online interactions (2012 amendment).
- Addresses unlawful online activities by minors (e.g hacking).
- Addresses the unauthorized use and disclosure of personal information of minors.
This CIPA legislature was mainly created and amended to protect children in schools from the harm of obscene or crude content and cyberbullying via social networks. I was unable to find much information about how certification is enforced beyond complaint. However, failure to comply with regulations under CIPA is subject to full reimbursement of funds received.
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) of 1998 was put in place to protect children under the age of 13 from having their personal information be collected, used, or disclosed without either the knowledge and approval of their parents. If an operator of a website wishes to collect information from a child, it must provide a disclaimer or other notice, require verifiable parental consent prior to collecting information, and keep the personal information confidential. Operators must also give parents access to their child's information, allow parents to prevent further use, and securely delete the information of children when it is no longer needed. Violators are subject to civil penalties and fines. More COPPA FAQs can be found here.
While schools who want technology funding must have filters and other protective measures, and website operators are required to obtain parental consent, it is important that children be educated to talk to their parents whenever something unexpected appears online at home. This YouTube clip would be a great teaching resource to begin a discussion with young students about pop ups and other notices that might appear online during their computer activities at home.
