CIPA

The Children's Internet Protection Act



** Description: ** CIPA is the Children’s Internet Protection Act that is defined as, “a federal law that addresses concerns about access in schools and libraries to the Internet and other information." This act went into effect on April 20, 2001. CIPA is meant to protect children in cyberspace, so that if they do not have someone looking over their shoulder every minute, they are not being exposed to obscenities. If schools and libraries abide by the CIPA law, then they can have acess to discounted service. "For any school or library that receives discounts for Internet access or for internal connections, CIPA imposes certain requirements." 43 percent of libraries and 73 percent of schools now use some type of filtering, which follow the CIPA guidelines. Some opposition to these guidelines have come from both educators and students (splc.org, 2002). CIPA filters by evaluating specific content and pictures that are deemed inappropriate for young internet users.

** What is the impact of this issue on K-12 schools, educators, and students? ** **For schools**, they will not get a discounted rate serviced by E-Rate unless they ensure they have protected their schools internet. This includes, “measures to block or filter pictures that: (a) are obscene, (b) contain child pornography, or (c) when computers with Internet access are used by minors, are harmful to minors." Additionally, it is the schools responsibility to manage what the children are doing each time they use a computer within the school. The E-Rate is, “designed to ensure that all eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to modern telecommunications and information services." Up to $2.25 billion annually is available to provide eligible schools and libraries with discounts under the E-rate program for authorized services. **For students and teachers** they feel that CIPA is “over blocking”. One article states, “Student journalists research a broad category of topics and because they often use the Internet to do so, they will find filters limit their ability to report news", said Doherty. The filters limit alot of the research that student journalists would like to do when putting together their schools newspaper. Originally, Pilcher said, "the software program the school district installed on all classroom computers blocked 34 categories of information, some of which were 'alcohol, obscenity, politics, news and entertainment.” Some believe that "CIPA is denying students the opportunity to learn in this technology-rich environment" (lexisnexis.com, 2003). Many also say that CIPA is not filtering the way it should be; blocking sites that shouldn't be blocked and missing sites that should be blocked (splc.org, 2002).

** Integrating this topic into Daily Instruction: ** This is a very advanced subject and it would best be integrated into higher grades, but children of younger grades could also benefit from some instruction on CIPA.

K-5 instruction: The teacher could could create a short presentation about the dangers of the internet. This presentation can be quite flexible (skits, videos, power point). The teacher should explain that when children use the internet that they should be careful about the websites they log on to. The teacher can give a brief overview of CIPA and explain how it protects children when they use the internet at school and in libraries. Teachers should let students know that when they use the internet at home their parents should closely watch what they are doing and block certain sites.

5-8 instruction: The teacher can give a basic overview of CIPA and explain how it impacts the school, students, and teachers. The teacher should be sure not to get too in depth about the topic, providing definitions for unfamiliar terms. Have the students work in groups and make a poster on the different impacts CIPA has. One group can do the impact on schools, another can do the impact on students, and another can do the impact on teachers. Then each group could present to the class.

7-9 instruction: The teacher could briefly go over the CIPA law with the students and maybe supply them with a reading, so that they have an overview of it. The students can take that information to find more information about CIPA and turn it into a presentation. The presentation can be open ended allowing the students to present it in anyway possible as long as the point is made. This project would be a great way for students to understand why the CIPA act was put into place for students like them, who use computers and other pieces of technology daily. This would also give students a chance to productively and effectively use technology.

9-12 instruction: The students should be instructed to write a research report on CIPA. This should be at least four pages long because there is so much information to be found about CIPA. The students should follow appropriate citation guidelines. Once the reports are complete, each student should be expected to do a five-ten minute presentation summarizing their research.

** Additional Links: ** This link gives a brief overview of CIPA and it provides the full text of the CIPA law. CIPA Law

** References: ** [] [] [] [|https://litigation-essentials.lexisnexis.com/webcd/app?]