Technology can result in greater online safety, but only when combined with training, education, and the flexibility to use it sensibly, according to a handful of educators, experts, and private citizens who weighed in on the effectiveness of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), a law that requires eRate-funded schools to use a technology protection measure to keep kids safe online.

The U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) invited comments from the public to evaluate whether currently available internet blocking or filtering technologies and internet safety policies adequately address the needs of schools.

NTIA will use the comments to make recommendations to Congress about how to foster the development of technology protection measures that meet schools' needs. Comments were required to be submitted to the organization by Aug. 27.

While some respondents were pleased with CIPA and the use of internet filters in schools, the majority said the law should incorporate internet safety education, flexibility to disable filters, and local decision making.

Others expressed concern that the law fails to address emerging technologies and that it stifles innovation and competition.

"We believe that unless technological protection measures are accompanied by adequate training, allow for flexible usage, and are governed by local decision making, they will never fully meet the needs of schools," said the National Education Association (NEA) in its comments.

Training and education

Teachers need technology training, and besides relying on technology to protect them, students need to learn to use the internet responsibly, respondents said.

"We are convinced that any technological protection measure will only be successful if used in conjunction with appropriate training and instruction for both the children themselves and for teachers and other appropriate school and library staff," said the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Technology in Education Consortium (MAR*TEC) recommended that education leaders receive training, help, and support in developing and implementing effective monitoring policies and that school-district leaders participate in this training.

"Even if computers are physically placed in a room so that teachers can see the students' workstations, teachers and educational leaders are unaware of what good computer monitoring entails and how strategies change and develop with students' grade level maturation," MAR*TEC said. "Districts need to educate teachers regarding their responsibility and potential liability and to provide them with effective monitoring strategies."

ISTE recommended that teacher training should include information about how web sites can be added or deleted from the school's blocked list.