Internet Safety Policy 3226/4205

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish expectations for internet safety at the Eastern North Carolina School for the Deaf (ENCSD) and to ensure that students use technology resources in a safe, responsible, and educationally appropriate manner. ENCSD is committed to protecting students from harmful online content, supporting digital citizenship, promoting cybersecurity awareness, and complying with federal and state laws related to internet access, student safety, and technology use.

I. Policy Statement

The Board of Trustees recognizes that access to the internet and digital resources is an important part of the educational program and supports instruction, communication, research, and student engagement. At the same time, internet access presents risks including exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online exploitation, privacy threats, and cybersecurity concerns.

ENCSD shall take reasonable steps to provide safe and secure access to online resources for students while maintaining educational access and supporting responsible digital learning. Internet safety protections shall include technology safeguards, supervision, student instruction, staff responsibilities, and procedures consistent with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), student privacy laws, and Board policy.

The Superintendent or designee shall establish administrative procedures to implement this policy and ensure alignment with acceptable use, student conduct, artificial intelligence use, and student privacy protections.

II. Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions apply:

Internet Safety: The protection of students and school technology systems from harmful, inappropriate, unlawful, or unsafe online activity, including exposure to harmful content, cyber threats, privacy violations, and unsafe digital interactions.
School Technology Resources: Any ENCSD-owned, leased, licensed, or authorized device, network, internet access point, software, platform, application, communication system, or digital resource used for school purposes.
Digital Citizenship: The responsible, ethical, safe, and respectful use of technology and digital resources, including online behavior, privacy awareness, cyber safety, and academic integrity.
Filtering Technology: Technology protection measures used to block or limit access to visual depictions or online content that is obscene, harmful to minors, or otherwise inappropriate for students as required by law.
Cyberbullying: The use of electronic communication or digital platforms to intimidate, harass, threaten, embarrass, or harm another person.

III. Technology Protection Measures

ENCSD shall use technology protection measures to restrict student access to inappropriate online content while using school technology resources.

These measures shall be designed to:

Block or filter access to obscene material
Prevent access to pornography
Restrict access to content harmful to minors
Reduce exposure to online exploitation and unsafe communication
Support cybersecurity protections against malware, phishing, and unauthorized access
Protect student information and school systems from security threats

Filtering and monitoring systems shall be applied consistent with legal requirements and instructional needs.

Authorized personnel may disable filtering temporarily for lawful educational purposes, bona fide research, and other approved instructional needs consistent with administrative procedures.

IV. Student Internet Safety Instruction

Students shall receive age-appropriate instruction regarding internet safety and responsible online behavior as part of the educational program.

Instruction shall include:

Safe use of websites, email, and digital communication
Protection of personal information and passwords
Recognition of online scams, phishing, and cybersecurity risks
Prevention of cyberbullying and reporting concerns
Safe use of social media and online communication tools
Academic honesty, plagiarism prevention, and digital ethics
Respectful and lawful online behavior

Internet safety instruction shall be accessible to students and provided in ways that support visual communication and language access.

V. Student Responsibilities

Students using school technology resources at any time are expected to:

Use the internet for educational purposes and approved school activities
Follow all acceptable use expectations and staff directions
Protect passwords and account security
Respect the privacy and rights of others
Refrain from accessing inappropriate or unauthorized content
Refrain from cyberbullying, harassment, or misuse of digital communication
Report unsafe online behavior, suspicious activity, or harmful content including child pornography
Use artificial intelligence and digital tools responsibly and honestly.

Violations may result in disciplinary action, restricted access, restitution, or other consequences consistent with Board policy and the Student Code of Conduct.

VI. Employee Responsibilities

Employees shall support internet safety by:

Supervising student use of technology resources
Modeling appropriate and professional online behavior
Teaching and reinforcing digital citizenship expectations
Reporting suspected cyber threats, inappropriate access, or safety concerns
Protecting confidential student information
Using approved platforms for communication and instruction when required
Following all policies related to student privacy, cybersecurity, and staff-student electronic communication

Employees shall maintain professional boundaries in all electronic communication with students and shall comply with ENCSD Policy 4040/7310 Staff-Student Relations.

VII. Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Cyberbullying, harassment, threats, intimidation, and unlawful online conduct are prohibited whether occurring on school-owned systems or when such conduct substantially disrupts the educational environment or affects student safety.

Reports of cyberbullying or online harassment shall be addressed consistent with student conduct policies, school safety procedures, and applicable law.

Students and employees are encouraged to report concerns promptly to school administration.

VIII. Privacy and Security

The Superintendent or designee shall establish procedures to protect student records, technology systems, and confidential information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.

These procedures shall include:

Password and account security expectations
Cybersecurity awareness training
Data access controls
Incident reporting procedures
Vendor review and student data privacy protections
Monitoring of school-owned systems consistent with law
Response procedures for cybersecurity incidents

Users should have no expectation of privacy when using school-owned devices, networks, or systems except as otherwise provided by law.

IV. Parent and Family Communication

ENCSD shall make reasonable efforts to inform parents and families regarding internet safety expectations, acceptable use standards, and student responsibilities related to online behavior.

Family communication may include:

Student handbook information
Acceptable use agreements
Digital citizenship guidance
Remote learning expectations
Information regarding reporting concerns related to online safety

Legal References

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), 47 U.S.C. § 254
Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), 15 U.S.C. § 6501 et seq.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), 20 U.S.C. § 1232h
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.
S. 115C
S. 14-458.1
State Board of Education Policies

This policy shall be reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with evolving technology practices, legal requirements, accessibility standards, cybersecurity expectations, and the educational needs of students.

Policy