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Internet Content Filtering on CPS Networks

  • Updated

Chesapeake Public Schools understands the importance of satisfying the requirements of the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to provide a safe technology-integrated learning environment. This article will focus on the policies and procedures utilized by Chesapeake Public Schools in regard to internet content filtering for our students.

For additional Internet Safety information, recommendations, and FAQs, visit the Internet Safety section of our CPS Help Desk website.

This Article Covers the Following 

 

bullet point iconWhat does Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) require? 

Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires us to ensure:

  • "We have an Internet Safety policy in place that includes technology protection measures, such as blocking and filtering internet access to websites and pictures that are (a) obscene; (b) child pornography; or (c) harmful to minors (for computers that are accessed by minors)".

Schools subject to CIPA are required to adopt and implement an Internet safety policy addressing:

  • Access by minors to inappropriate matters on the Internet;
  • The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
  • Unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,” and other unlawful activities by minors online;
  • Unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal information regarding minors; and
  • Measures restricting minors' access to materials harmful to them.

For full details, visit Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

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bullet point iconWhat policies & procedures has CPS set forth to meet and / or exceed CIPA requirements? 

  1. Student Acceptable Telecommunications and Internet Use Policy

    • CPS has implemented appropriate software to block and / or filter Network access provided by CPS, and such software is designed to filter or block obscene material, pornographic material, and other material that is harmful to minors. Efforts to disable, tamper with, or otherwise interfere with the filtering software shall be deemed by CPS to be an improper and unacceptable use of the Network by the user for which the user can be disciplined.
    • An Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is in effect for all students and staff.
    • The student and parent / guardian, as well as staff, must sign this AUP before using the CPS network and CPS device.

    • Parents / guardians are informed of student expectations to practice safe, responsible behavior when utilizing Internet resources.

    • Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship is part of our curriculum and policies and procedures are in place to clearly identify consequences for misuse.

  2. Student Virtual Learning Conduct Expectations

  3. Student Electronic Equipment Loan and Use Agreement

    • The device and accessories loaned under this agreement may only be used for school / educational activities and in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, School Board policies and regulations, CPS Acceptable Telecommunications and Internet Use Policy (AUP), CPS Emergency Closure Electronic Device Loan and Use Agreement, and CPS Student Code of Conduct.

    • Student responsibilities include, but are not limited to, Internet content filtering software (installed by CPS in compliance with legal requirements) is not turned off, bypassed, or attempted to be bypassed.

  4. Student Conduct Policy Guidelines

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bullet point iconWhat is “internet content filtering"?

Internet content filtering is a technique of screening access to inappropriate, illicit, or unsafe web content by blocking access to this content. In addition to using software and policies to block inappropriate content, teachers and librarians have the primary responsibility of practicing good classroom management by assisting students in accessing appropriate resource sites. Students may be granted access to these sites for related assignments through bookmarked / shared links, via their CPS Schoology account, or within a Google assignment (such as Google Docs, Google Slides, etc).

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bullet point iconWhat software does CPS use to block and filter student-accessed content?

CPS utilizes Lightspeed software on our servers to block sites in categories identified as harmful to juveniles in compliance with CIPA regulations. Lightspeed states that their software "leverages advanced AI to automatically block millions of inappropriate, harmful, and unknown sites, images, and video."

How Lightspeed works:

  • The filtering vendor (Lightspeed) categorizes sites based on content to filter and block. This system uses a web crawler to constantly look for new sites to filter based on these categories. Other sites / categories can also be submitted for review or categorization.
  • The school system selects categories to block based on School Board Policy, which ensures we are adhering to and are in compliance with CIPA regulations.
  • The vendor constantly updates server-based lists remotely.
  • Category lists are owned by the vendor and are not shared with the users.
  • When a site is accessed that is listed as blocked on our server, the user will see an error screen acknowledging this site is blocked or has restricted access. It will display a message to identify the Lightspeed category, stating why it may be blocked and restricted.blocked site example error screen
  • If a CPS staff member or student locates a questionable / inappropriate site or a site that is appropriate and should not be blocked, a request should be submitted to the CPS Help Desk with a link to the site to be reviewed by our Network Security team.
  • Filtering for student accounts is more restrictive than staff accounts. 

  • Chat rooms, teen chats, and instant messaging are also blocked under a specifically listed category.

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bullet point iconWhat policies govern the internet filtering practices at CPS?

As stated in the Student Acceptable Telecommunications and Internet Use Policy:

  • School Board Policy P 6-36 and subsequent regulations R 6-36 were approved by the School Board on June 9, 2008. This policy governs the acceptable telecommunications and Internet use for students.

  • All users of Chesapeake Public Schools' telecommunication and computing resources are responsible for being aware of this policy.
  • This Policy prohibits any District student from using the Chesapeake Public Schools telecommunications system for any unlawful purpose and from the sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading of any unlawful material that the District deems harmful to juveniles.
  • CPS has implemented appropriate software to block and/or filter network access provided by CPS, and such software is designed to filter or block obscene material, pornographic material, and other material that is harmful to minors.

Filtering software utilized in K-12 schools is often due to implied responsibilities for schools to serve as "in loco parentis" and it is required by law through CIPA to adhere to their regulations.

Although software filtering has been adopted by our District, teachers, and staff must continue to exercise good classroom management in monitoring student activities and access when using the CPS Network.

In signing and reviewing a Student's Acceptable Use Policy, parents / guardians also share the same responsibility to monitor their children's activities:

  • while on CPS devices and CPS accounts used from home (such as during virtual learning)
  • alert your child’s school or the CPS Help Desk to any inappropriate access / issues that may arise during use of CPS related devices / accounts
  • assure that their child(ren) learns how to be responsible users of the Internet
  • consult their internet service provider for how to set up additional content filtering features on their home / personal networks to further limit access to individual sites at home

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bullet point iconAre there other resources for parents about children's use of the Internet and digital learning?

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bullet point iconAre there resources for students to learn & practice digital citizenship and internet safety?

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