KNOW THE LAW! CITIZENSHIP MATTERS!
Teachers, Students, Parents: What We ALL Need To Know
- Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
- Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
- Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Hmm. Well, "acts" would be better, wouldn't it? Now, doooooooon't panic! All you need to know will be explained, and to make this even easier, we've got some visual aids to help. Cast your eyes below and lets get started...
CIPA
- Access by minors to inappropriate matter 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.
COPPA
The usual guideline is that it must be "solely for the educational benefit of the student", and the parents can have a hand in deciding what that is.
Oh, interesting fact! The act can also protect student information, such as personal details and test results, from other agencies or private concerns accessing them. It depends on a state-to-state basis, so be sure to check out with your School Board to see if you're covered by it!
FERPA
According to FERPA, parents can have access to records of grades, tests, attendance, Student ID and medical information, along with the student him/herself. However, other students and parents do not have access to this, apart from specific and "emergency" situations, such as cooperating with law enforcement. But even then, the school must let the parents and student(s) know that said information has been shared.
So, what does this have to do with "digital citizenship"? Well, since pretty much all student records are or can be online nowadays, quite a lot! Teachers are responsible for making sure all attempts to access student records are vetted and only those cleared to see them may gain them.
Learn Your Acts Right So Your Students Can Act Right!
Yep, that was pretty cheesy, but bear with us...
But there is help, there are guidelines, and these three acts are the bedrock on which you can build and effective and flexible teaching guide for your students.
- Students using the Media Lab to send malicious Tweets and try to look up the next R Rated XBox game coming out? Uh-uh-uh, not according to CIPA!
- You're looking to build a new unit plan and have so many resources to choose from. Well, here's COPPA to help you whittle down the unnecessary and unsuitable!
- Sally and Sammy want to use their class' test results as part of their project? Sorry, kids, FIRPA says that's a no-no!
See what we mean? These parameters were and are designed to allow as much social media and online interaction as possible, while at the same time being safe, secure, age appropriate and (here's where we pay attention, educators) conducive to a solid educational environment.
And if you're thirsting for more, here's a small ocean of online intelligence for your perusal!
CIPA - https://www.fcc.gov/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act
COPPA - https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/complying-coppa-frequently-asked-questions
FIRPA - http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html