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Memphis School Of Excellence

Mendenhall Parents CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) Informative Meeting

Feb 13th 2025

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Introduction to CIPA Compliance

Understanding the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

Objective: To ensure compliance with CIPA requirements for schools and libraries applying for E-Rate program discounts on Category One and Category Two services.

Key Point: Applicants must certify CIPA compliance to be eligible for E-Rate program discounts.

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What is the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)?

Definition: CIPA is a federal law enacted to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the internet. (CIPA) enacted by Congress in December 2000.

Purpose: To ensure schools and libraries implement measures that protect minors from inappropriate online content.

Scope: Applies to any school or library seeking E-Rate funding for internet access or internal connections, CIPA imposes certain requirements.

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CIPA Requirements

To comply with CIPA, schools and libraries must:

  1. Adopt and enforce an internet safety policy. MSE Technology Use Policy
    • The policy must address:
      • Access by minors to inappropriate content on the Internet and World Wide Web
      • Safety and security of minors when using electronic communications (e.g., email, chat rooms)
      • Unauthorized access, including hacking
      • Unauthorized disclosure of personal information about minors
      • Restricting minors access to materials harmful to them.
      • Internet access is a privilege not a right
      • The users, rather than school, are liable for any misuse of the system.

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CIPA Requirements

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  • Implement technology protection measures (filters).
    • These measures must block or filter access to:
      • Obscene content
      • Child pornography
      • Content harmful to minors
  • Hold a public meeting or hearing to discuss the internet safety policy.
    • This ensures transparency and public awareness.

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Internet Safety Policy Requirements

Key Components of an Internet Safety Policy:

  1. Measures to block or filter internet access to inappropriate content. We are using Securly Filtering system, Sophos Mobile Security Advance and active on premise Firewall.
  2. Guidelines for monitoring the online activities of minors.
  3. Education programs on appropriate online behavior, including:
    • Interaction with others on social networking sites
    • Cyberbullying awareness and response
    • Digital Citizenship

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Technology Protection Measures

Definition: Technology protection measures refer to specific filtering software or systems that prevent access to harmful content.

Implementation Tips:

  • Ensure filters are regularly updated.
  • Allow authorized personnel to disable filtering for legitimate research or other lawful purposes.
  • Conduct periodic reviews of the filtering system to ensure it is effective by IT Department

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Public Meeting Requirement & Monitoring and Enforcement

Purpose: To provide transparency and gather feedback from stakeholders (parents, teachers, and the community) regarding the internet safety policy.

Monitoring:

  • Schools and libraries should periodically monitor internet usage to ensure compliance with the policy.

Enforcement:

  • Establish clear procedures for addressing violations of the internet safety policy.

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Notes:

For more information, please contact your campus IT Specialist/Assistants.

Thank you.

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