Parents » Internet Use

Internet Use

Internet Use
 
Use of the Internet

Code: 4.406

Issued Date: 04/26/16

The Board supports the right of staff and students to have reasonable access to various information formats and believes that it is incumbent upon staff and students to use this privilege in an appropriate and responsible manner.

Employees

Before any employee is allowed use of the district's Internet or intranet access, the employee shall sign a written agreement, developed by the director/designee that sets out the terms and conditions of such use. Any employee who accesses the district's computer system for any purpose agrees to be bound by the terms of that agreement, even if no signed written agreement is on file.

The director of schools shall develop and implement procedures for appropriate Internet use which shall address the following:

1. Development of the Network and Internet Use Agreement.
2. General rules and ethics of Internet access.
3. Guidelines regarding appropriate instruction and oversight of student Internet use.
4. Prohibited and illegal activities, including but not limited to the following:


Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
Using obscene language
Harassing, insulting, defaming or attacking others
Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks
Hacking or attempting unauthorized access to any computer
Violation of copyright laws
Trespassing in another's folders, work or files
Intentional misuse of resources
Using another's password or other identifier (impersonation)
Use of the network for commercial purposes
Buying or selling on the Internet
Students

The director of schools shall develop and implement procedures for appropriate Internet use by students. Procedures shall address the following:

1. General rules and ethics of Internet use.

2. Prohibited or illegal activities, including, but not limited to:

Sending or displaying offensive messages or pictures
Using obscene language
Harassing, insulting, defaming or attacking others
Damaging computers, computer systems or computer networks
Hacking or attempting unauthorized access
Violation of copyright laws
Trespassing in another's folders, work or filesIntentional misuse of resourcesUsing another's password or other identifier (impersonation)
Use of the network for commercial purposes Buying or selling on the Internet
INTERNET SAFETY MEASURES

Internet safety measures shall be implemented that effectively address the following:

Controlling access by students to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web
Safety and security of students when they are using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications
Preventing unauthorized access, including "hacking" and other unlawful activities by students on-line
Unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal information regarding students
Restricting students' access to materials harmful to them
The director of schools/designee shall establish a process to ensure the district's education technology is not used for purposes prohibited by law or for accessing sexually explicit materials. The process shall include, but not be limited to:

Utilizing technology that blocks or filters Internet access (for both students and adults) to material that is obscene, child pornography or harmful to students
Maintaining and securing a usage log
Monitoring on-line activities of students
The Board shall provide reasonable public notice of, and at least one (1) public hearing or meeting to address and communicate, its Internet safety measures.

A written parental consent shall be required prior to the student being granted access to electronic media involving district technological resources. The required permission/agreement form, which shall specify acceptable uses, rules of on-line behavior, access privileges and penalties for policy/ procedural violations, must be signed by the parent/legal guardian of minor students (those under 18 years of age) and also by the student. This document shall be executed each year and shall be valid only in the school year in which it was signed unless parent(s) provide written notice that consent is withdrawn. In order to rescind the agreement, the student's parent/guardian (or the student who is at least 18 years old) must provide the director of schools with a written request.

E-MAIL

Users with network access shall not utilize district resources to establish electronic mail accounts through third-party providers or any other nonstandard electronic mail system. All data including e-mail communications stored or transmitted on school system computers shall be monitored. Employees/students have no expectation of privacy with regard to such data. E-mail correspondence may be a public record under the public records law and may be subject to public inspection.

INTERNET SAFETY INSTRUCTION

Students will be given appropriate instruction in internet safety as a part of any instruction utilizing
computer resources. The director shall provide adequate in-service instruction on internet safety. Parents and students will be provided with material to raise awareness of the dangers posed by the internet and ways in which the internet may be used safely.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

1. District staff who have a presence on social networking websites are prohibited from postingdata, documents, photographs or inappropriate information that is likely to create a material and substantial disruption of classroom activity.

2. District staff are prohibited from accessing personal social networking sites on school computers
or during school hours except for legitimate instructional purposes.

3. The Board discourages district staff from socializing with students on social networking
websites. The same relationship, exchange, interaction, information, or behavior that would be
unacceptable in a non-technological medium is unacceptable when done through the use of
technology.

VIOLATIONS

Violations of this policy or a procedure promulgated under its authority shall be handled in accordance with the existing disciplinary procedures of this District.

Legal References:

1. TCA 39-14-602
2. TCA 10-7-512
3. Children's Internet
Protection Act (Public
Law 106-554)
4. TCA 49-1-221

Cross References:

Use of Electronic Mail (e-mail) 1.805 Web Pages 4.407

Procedure References:

Technology Acceptable Use Procedure
(AUP) 4.406 Exhibit A

Greene County Schools District Email
Guidelines 4.406 Exhibit B