CIPA: Policy Definition

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) of 2000 requires that schools and public libraries which receive federal funds must establish and implement an Internet Safety Policy. Schools and libraries receive money from the government in several ways. The E-Rate program, instituted under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, offers fiscal assistance to schools and libraries for expenses associated with Internet access. Under the Library Service and Technology Act of 1996 (LSTA), grant money is provided to assist in the electronic linking of library networks. The CIPA directly ties the establishment of an Internet Safety Policy to these funds.

Under the CIPA, an Internet Safety Policy must include the monitoring of online activities of minors as well as the installment of content filtering software on computers in order to block access to "objectionable" material considered harmful to children. Websites that are considered to be obscene, child pornography, or harmful to minors are subject to blocking measures.

In addition, the CIPA mandates that schools and libraries address the safety of minors who are using e-mail, chat rooms and other forms of electronic communication. Policies must also be in place to deal with unauthorized access (such as "hacking") as well as unauthorized disclosure of personal information regarding minors.

Schools and libraries must show proof that their Internet Safety Policy is in place by certifying it with the federal government agencies that provide funding. If the institution fails to do so, they will not receive the discounts provided under the E-Rate program nor will they receive funds provided through the LSTA.

In 2001, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set the requirements for CIPA's implementation.