Background
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. In early 2001, the FCC issued
rules implementing CIPA.
What CIPA Requires
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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.
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Schools subject to CIPA are required to
adopt and enforce a policy to monitor online activities of
minors.
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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.
Schools and libraries are required to certify
that they have their safety policies and technology in place
before receiving E-rate funding.
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CIPA does not affect E-rate funding for
schools and libraries receiving discounts only for
telecommunications, such as telephone service.
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An authorized person may disable the
blocking or filtering measure during any use by an adult to
enable access for bona fide research or other lawful purposes.
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CIPA does not require the tracking of
Internet use by minors or adults.
You can find out more about CIPA or apply for
E-rate funding by contacting the Universal Service
Administrative Company’s (USAC) Schools and Libraries Division (SLD)
at
www.sl.universalservice.org. SLD also operates a client
service bureau to answer questions at 1-888-203-8100 or via
e-mail through the SLD Web site.
For More Information
For
information about other telecommunications issues, visit
the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Web site
at www.fcc.gov/cgb,
or contact the FCC�s Consumer Center by calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or
1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing
1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications
Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554.
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