Child Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

CIS333
CIPA
Omar K. Coley
June 3, 2012
Strayer University
“The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law enacted by Congress to address concerns about access to offensive content over the Internet on school and library computers. CIPA imposes certain types of requirements on any school or library that receives funding for Internet access or internal connections from the E-rate program – a program that makes certain communications technology more affordable for eligible schools and libraries.” (Federal Communications Commission) When you go to your local library to use a computer the librarian will ask to see some form of identification to verify who you are and to log what time and what computer system you will be using.
“Schools and libraries subject to CIPA may not receive the discounts offered by the E-rate program unless they certify that they have an Internet safety policy that includes technology protection measures. The protection measures must block or filter Internet access to pictures that are: (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors). Before adopting this Internet safety policy, schools and libraries must provide reasonable notice and hold at least one public hearing or meeting to address the proposal.
Schools subject to CIPA are required to adopt and enforce a policy to monitor online activities of minors.” (Federal Communications Commission) In a college setting such as Strayer University, the college may elect to forgo blocking or filtering content that may be harmful to minors since minors are not generally enrolled or have access to the Strayer computer systems. However, Strayer would be mindful to address the public before moving forward with a decision to forgo filtering. A seventeen year old may enroll in Strayer as an early high school graduate which will make a minor accessing the network problematic.
“Schools and libraries subject to CIPA are required to adopt and implement an Internet safety policy addressing: (a) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet; (b) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications; (c) unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities by minors online; (d) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and (e) measures restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them.” (Federal Communications Commission) Within the Operating Systems (OS) software you can set the access level of content that you will allow users to see. Within many browsers you can also set the level of content that you will allow to be accessed also. Furthermore, you can set up a firewall that has settings to restrict all access to objectionable material.
“Schools and libraries are required to certify that they have their safety policies and technology in place before receiving E-rate funding. CIPA does not affect E-rate funding for schools and libraries receiving discounts only for telecommunications, such as telephone service.
An authorized person may disable the blocking or filtering measure during use by an adult to enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes. CIPA does not require the tracking of Internet use by minors or adults.” (Federal Communications Commission)

Bibliography
Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Children 's Internet Protection Act.

Bibliography: Federal Communications Commission. (n.d.). Children 's Internet Protection Act.