Internet Safety

Granbury ISD Internet Safety Policy

Introduction

Granbury ISD makes the internet available to staff and students for education-related purposes. It is the policy of Granbury Independent School District to: (a) prevent user access over its computer network to, or transmission of, inappropriate material via Internet, electronic mail, or other forms of direct electronic communications; (b) prevent unauthorized access and other unlawful online activity; (c) prevent unauthorized online disclosure, use, or dissemination of personal identification information of minors; and (d) comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act [Pub. L. No. 106-554 and 47 USC 254(h)]..

Definitions

Key terms are as defined in the Children’s Internet Protection Act.

Safety and Security

The District shall provide a filtering service that attempts to block access to visual depictions that are obscene, pornographic, inappropriate for students, or harmful to minors as defined by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Neighborhood Children’s Internet Protection Act, the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, or any other applicable laws. As determined by the Superintendent or designee, an authorized person may grant access for bona fide research or other lawful purpose. The District shall permit user access to the Internet in accordance with law, policy, and administrative regulations.

Internet Safety and Training

The District shall provide Internet safety training to students no later than the end of the first six weeks of instruction. Training shall include a review of Responsible Use Policy in the Student Handbook and education on cyberbullying, chatting, inappropriate use of social networking sites, and other technology related issues.

Inappropriate Network Usage

To the extent practical, steps shall be taken to promote the safety and security of users of the Granbury Independent School District online computer network when using electronic mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, and other forms of direct electronic communications.

Specifically, as required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act, prevention of inappropriate network usage includes: (a) unauthorized access, including so-called ‘hacking,’ and other unlawful activities; and (b) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.

Supervision and Monitoring

It shall be the responsibility of all members of the Granbury Independent School District staff to supervise and monitor usage of the online computer network and access to the Internet in accordance with this policy and the Children’s Internet protection Act.

Procedures for the disabling or otherwise modifying any technology protection measures shall be the responsibility of the Superintendent of Schools of Granbury Independent School District or designated representatives.

Adoption

The Board of Granbury Independent School District adopted this Internet Safety Policy at a public meeting, following normal public notice, on May 21, 2012.

CIPA definitions of terms:

TECHNOLOGY PROTECTION MEASURE

The term “technology protection measure” means a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access to visual depictions that are:

1. OBSCENE, as that term is defined in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code;

2. CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, as that term is defined in section 2256 of title 18, United States Code; or

3. Harmful to minors.

HARMFUL TO MINORS

The term “harmful to minors” means any picture, image, graphic image file, or other visual depiction that:

1. Taken as a whole and with respect to minors, appeals to a prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion;

2. Depicts, describes, or represents, in a patently offensive way with respect to what is suitable for minors, an actual or simulated sexual act or sexual contact, actual or simulated normal or perverted sexual acts, or a lewd exhibition of the genitals; and

3. Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value as to minors.

SEXUAL ACT; SEXUAL CONTACT.

The terms “sexual act” and “sexual contact” have the meanings given such terms in section 2246 of title 18, United States Code.