CIPA requirements include the following:
- An Internet Safety Policy that addresses the following:
- Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web
- The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications
- Unauthorized access including “hacking” and other unlawful activities by minors online
- Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors
- Measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors
- A Technology Protection Measure is a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access. A school or library must enforce filtering during the use of its computers with Internet access, though it may be able to disable this filtering if requested by an adult for bona fide research or other lawful purpose.
- Decisions about what matter is inappropriate for minors must be made by the local community. E-rate program rules specify that the library or other authority for making the determination shall make “[a] determination regarding matter inappropriate for minors.”
- A Public Notice and Hearing or Meeting must be held so that the community may be involved in the discussion of the proposed filtering parameters and the Internet Safety Policy that is to be in place. Evidence of a public hearing/meeting could be a published notice to a constituent group, a sign in sheet from the meeting, public board minutes, etc. Additional/annual meetings are not necessary-even if the policy is amended-unless required by local or state rules or the policy itself.