Children's+Internet+Protection+Act+(2000)

Dan Pollis & Ryan Koch

The Children's Internet Protection Act was a bill originally proposed in the U.S. Congress in 1999. Its primary purpose was to limit the exposure of children to pornography and other objectionable material on the internet. The bill was signed into law in 2000, although the American Library Association challenged its constitutionality. The ALA was upset because the law would require filters on library computers. The purpose of these filters was to block access to obscene content, but the ALA argued that the filters were blocking materials that were protected by the constitution. The Supreme Court ultimately affirmed the constitutionality of the law in 2003. However, special allowances were made so that libraries could unblock certain content at the request of an adult user. This would not include pornography, but rather non-objectionable content that was somehow blocked by the filters.
 * Description:**

According to the rules of the CIPA, schools must use filtering software on school computers to block objectionable content. They need to make sure that students cannot access pornography or other obscene items. Often, school computers filter out sites that would be useful for instruction. These would include Youtube, Facebook, and others. Teachers need to be aware of which sites are blocked. They may have to work around restrictions by saving a Youtube clip to a flash drive at home and bringing it in to class. Moreover, a social networking assignment might have to be completed at home by the students. These restrictions can be annoying at times, but they serve a good purpose. As long as educators are aware of the restrictions, they can still use technology effectively in lessons.
 * What is the impact of this issue on K-12 schools, educators, and students?**


 * Integrating this topic into Daily Instruction:**

At this age, there is no need to educate students on the CIPA. At this age, teachers should simply let students know that when they are using school or library computers, they are doing so under supervision and protection. But they should be made aware that when they are home, they need to seek out this same supervision and protection from their parents when using the computer. The CIPA should be introduced to students before they enter the computer labs (this is the age where simple research projects may be introduced). Terms like "Inappropriate Matter" and "Harmful to Minors" should be defined, and examples of each should be given. As students reach appropriate age, they may engage in class projects that involve more online communication. The CIPA should be redefined on a higher level by applying it to chat rooms, email, blogs, instant messaging, and other types of online communications. Teachers should also address appropriate behavior for social networking and make a point that since the CIPA doesn't apply to social networking, social networks should stay out of the computer labs. Share the same information with this age group as the 5-8. At this age, teachers will be introducing new forms of technology using the internet. Teachers could require questionnaires to inquire about any implications for safety issues students confronted when using the new technology. In government class, teachers can use the CIPA when discussing the Freedom of Speech. Does the CIPA take away this right? There are public hearings and meetings that libraries and schools hold when addressing proposed Internet safety policies. Teachers could require students to attend these and report back with information they feel affects them. Students could also be asked to question the CIPA and write argumentative essays as to whether or not it is necessary or violates the Bill of Rights. They could also be required to address their opinions as to whether or not the CIPA should be applied to social networks.
 * PreK-K**
 * 1-3 **
 * 3-5 **
 * 5-8 **
 * 7-9 **
 * 9-12 **

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html
 * Additional Links:**
 * 1.) A site run by the FCC, which lays out the basic guidelines of CIPA:

2.) The site for schools and libraries to use to apply for funding associated with CIPA: http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/step10/cipa.aspx

3.) An informational site provided by the American Library Association about the implications of CIPA: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/federallegislation/cipa/

4.) Text of the original bill in Congress: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c106:S.97.IS:

5.) The Wikipedia page on Internet censorship in general: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship

6.) The Wikipedia page on Web Filtering software: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Content-control_software

References:** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Internet_Protection_Act