Questions and Answers on Filtering
Why filter?
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and other federal policies like Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) require us to protect students and staff. Part of that protection requires the provider of Internet service to impose technology to enforce both the district acceptable use policy and any federal or state policies.
Why now?
The District's AUP has been in effect for several years. Additionally October 28th, 2001 was the deadline provided by the federal government to impose technology to filter based on local, state, and federal policy. If we did not filter by this date, we would be at risk of loosing more than 100 million dollars in federal and state funding.
Why are anonymous email providers being blocked?
Anonymous email providers are just that anonymous. Anyone can create an account with fake information and begin direct communications with other students, teachers, staff and outside people. These anonymous emails can be inappropriate by name and content. These anonymous email providers do not restrict who gets an account, thereby leaving students, teachers, and staff at risk of being the recipients of inappropriate mail without any consequences to the sender. The CIPA makes specific reference to "the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications."
Since I can't access my anonymous email, what can be done now?
You can use your free LAUSDnet account or any registered email account (such as AOL, Earthlink, etc.). There is no restriction of sending or receiving message to these anonymous email providers. If you need to access your anonymous email provider you will need to do it with another service provider (there are many good deals and some free providers). Additionally, LAUSDnet provides web-based access to your account from any service provder. The direct URL to this access is http://lausdnet01.lausd.k12.ca.us:8080 or you can click on the LAUSDnet Webmail link at the top of the LAUSD homepage at http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us. LAUSD employees and students are reminded that they have free email and Internet service with LAUSDnet. For details on getting an LAUSDnet account or obtaining your information, please go to http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/lausdnet/lausdnet.html
What are the general criteria for filtering?
Primarily access to websites that have pornographic and hate content as well as web-based chat and anonymous email sites. The follwing is from CIPA:
(l) INTERNET SAFETY POLICY REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--In carrying out its responsibilities under subsection (h), each school or library to which subsection (h) applies shall--
(A) adopt and implement an Internet safety policy that addresses--
(i) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web;
(ii) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
(iii) unauthorized access, including so-called `hacking', and other unlawful activities
by minors online;
(iv) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and
(v) measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors; Where can I find out more information on federal laws on filtering?
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and other federal policies like Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) require us to protect students and staff. Part of that protection requires the provider of Internet service to impose technology to enforce both the district acceptable use policy and any federal or state policies.
Why now?
The District's AUP has been in effect for several years. Additionally October 28th, 2001 was the deadline provided by the federal government to impose technology to filter based on local, state, and federal policy. If we did not filter by this date, we would be at risk of loosing more than 100 million dollars in federal and state funding.
Why are anonymous email providers being blocked?
Anonymous email providers are just that anonymous. Anyone can create an account with fake information and begin direct communications with other students, teachers, staff and outside people. These anonymous emails can be inappropriate by name and content. These anonymous email providers do not restrict who gets an account, thereby leaving students, teachers, and staff at risk of being the recipients of inappropriate mail without any consequences to the sender. The CIPA makes specific reference to "the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications."
Since I can't access my anonymous email, what can be done now?
You can use your free LAUSDnet account or any registered email account (such as AOL, Earthlink, etc.). There is no restriction of sending or receiving message to these anonymous email providers. If you need to access your anonymous email provider you will need to do it with another service provider (there are many good deals and some free providers). Additionally, LAUSDnet provides web-based access to your account from any service provder. The direct URL to this access is http://lausdnet01.lausd.k12.ca.us:8080 or you can click on the LAUSDnet Webmail link at the top of the LAUSD homepage at http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us. LAUSD employees and students are reminded that they have free email and Internet service with LAUSDnet. For details on getting an LAUSDnet account or obtaining your information, please go to http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/lausdnet/lausdnet.html
What are the general criteria for filtering?
Primarily access to websites that have pornographic and hate content as well as web-based chat and anonymous email sites. The follwing is from CIPA:
(l) INTERNET SAFETY POLICY REQUIREMENT FOR SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--In carrying out its responsibilities under subsection (h), each school or library to which subsection (h) applies shall--
(A) adopt and implement an Internet safety policy that addresses--
(i) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web;
(ii) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications;
(iii) unauthorized access, including so-called `hacking', and other unlawful activities
by minors online;
(iv) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors; and
(v) measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors; Where can I find out more information on federal laws on filtering?
- Children's Internet Protection Act. The specific section of HR 4577. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
- HR 4577 - Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2001. The complete text of HR 4577.
- Complete text of FCC ruling. (Requires Microsoft Word)