The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was signed into law on December 21, 2000. To receive support for Internet access and internal connections services from the Universal Service Fund (USF), school and library authorities must certify that they are enforcing a policy of Internet safety that includes measures to block or filter Internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual depictions. The relevant authority with responsibility for administration of the eligible school or library must certify the status of its compliance for the purpose of CIPA in order to receive USF support.

CIPA requirements are: technology protection measure, internet safety policy, and public notice and hearing. A technology protection measure (Internet filtering software) is a specific technology that block of filters access. It must protect against access by adults and minors to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors, harmful to minors. For schools, the policy must include monitoring the online activities of minors. Internet safety policy must address: access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web, the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail and other forms of direct electronic communications unauthorized access including hacking and other unlawful activities by minors online, and measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors. The authority with responsibility for administration of the school or library must provide reasonable public notice and hold at least one public hearing to address a proposed technology protection measure and Internet safety policy.

For the purpose of CIPA, certifications for schools eligible for E-rate discounts may be made by the relevant school, school board, local educational agency, or other authority with responsibility for administration of the school (the Administrative Authority). For the purpose of CIPA, certifications for libraries eligible for E-rate discounts may be made by the relevant library, library board, or other authority with responsibility for administration of the library.

For school or library to be able to make the certification, they must be able to demonstrate that action was taken by the start of services. USAC will not request this documentation as part of the form 486 filling process but the school or library must maintain this documentation in its files for audit purposes. An undertaken action is an action that can be documented and that moves the school or library toward compliance. If a school or library has already provided reasonable public notice and at least one public hearing or meeting relating to an Internet safety policy and technology protection measure that meets all the requirements, then that school or library has complied with the public notice and hearing requirements of CIPA.

In closing, although such steps constitute examples of actions undertaken in order to be able to make the necessary certification, schools and libraries should be prepared to take all subsequent measures so that by the start of service they will be in full compliance.

Reference
Kim, D., Solomon, M. (2012). Fundamentals of information systems security. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett.
CIPA Requirements. Retrieved on February 27, 2012 from www.bannedinwestbend.info/s/cipa-requirements
Children Internet Protection Act. Retrieved on February 27, 2012 from www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html