Children’s Internet Protection Act

Background

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a federal law that was enacted by Congress in December 2000 to address concerns about access in schools and libraries to the Internet and other information. In early 2001, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued rules to ensure that CIPA is carried out.

What CIPA Requires

1. Under CIPA, schools and libraries do not receive the discounts offered by the "E-Rate" program (telephone discounts that make access to the Internet affordable to schools and libraries) unless they certify that they have certain Internet safety measures in place. These include: 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, harmful to minors.
2. CIPA requires schools to adopt a policy to monitor online activities of minors; and
3. CIPA requires schools and libraries to adopt a policy addressing: (a) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web; (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) restricting minors’ access to materials harmful to them. CIPA does not require the tracking of Internet use by minors or adults.

For the school year July 2001 through June 2002, schools and libraries must certify that they have their safety policies and technology in place, or that they are taking the necessary actions to put them in place before receiving E-rate funding for the next school year. After that, participating schools and libraries must have filtering in place.

For further information on CIPA or to apply for Universal Service, contact the Universal Service Administrative Company (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.

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