The FCC’s proposed rulemaking would require schools to produce their internet safety policies upon request, and it seeks comment on the manner in which those policies should be made available and how burdensome that task might be.
“I think it’s great–it’s a big step forward in keeping kids safe online,” said Judi Westberg Warren, president of internet safety educator Web Wise Kids, about the proposed new rules.
Westberg Warren said she thinks many schools already are moving forward in this direction.
“I don’t think they’ll find [the requirements] surprising or daunting,” she added. “There are lots of good programs out there, ours and others, which are already based on research and created for kids and for quick and efficient implementation.” She said schools also can create their own programs.
Westberg Warren said she hopes schools will look to Web Wise Kids for guidance as they create their internet safety programs.
“We’ve been using computer games to teach internet safety in schools for years, and we are ready to implement them easily and quickly, and we’re eager for this,” she said.
Under existing program rules, to be eligible for e-Rate funding, schools and libraries must certify that they have internet safety policies and technology protection measures in place in accordance with CIPA.
CIPA requires that schools’ internet safety policies include technology-protection measures that prevent adults and children from accessing the internet when such access will subject users to obscene images, child pornography, or–when minors are using the internet–materials that are harmful to minors.
Schools and libraries also must show that they are monitoring minors’ online activities. e-Rate applicants declare their CIPA certifications annually on their Form 486 application, the same form that the NPRM suggests will include the new certification requirement.
Links:
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
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