What are CIPA and COPPA?
Both CIPA and COPPA are laws that were first created in 2001 and 1998 respectively. Both laws have since been updated. These laws set out rules and regulations for protecting children in schools when it comes to the internet. COPA requires each school to put in place internet filters to make sure that students are not being exposed to inappropriate things on the internet. It however, does not include anything about social media or mobile devices in the classroom. COPPA states that parents have complete control over what information is collected about their children under the age of 13. There must be parental consent for anything regarding students under 13.
Under these laws, teachers must keep parents informed of everything their children are using/doing in school. They must also always remember to supervise all students when they are using any device in school.
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My Thoughts
In general, I think any law that works to protect students is a good thing. CIPA and COPPA seem like they are doing more good than they are harm. I do however think there could be more. I think that both of these laws are due for an update. CIPA was updated in 2011 and COPPA in 2013. While that doesn't seem like it was that long ago, it really is a lot of time in the technology world. My fourth grade students weren't even in school when these were updated. I think that these laws need to include references to social media as this is such an important part of the modern student's life.
When I think about the idea of social media rules/regulations for schools not really being in place, this brings up the idea of children under the age of 13. 13 seems like the right age to allow students to being to use social media or other apps, but that's not what happens in real life. Danah Boyd said, "on the internet, every child is 14" and I completely agree with that idea. As a fourth a grade teacher for the last six years, my students are only ten. Although most of them have Instagram or Facebook accounts. If I remember correctly you have to add a birthdate to join Facebook. I am not so sure about Instagram. These apps then seep into the school environment. While I know a law can't possibly police every child to keep them off these apps, I think they really need to lay out to parents the problems that could occur when young kids join.
How I deal with Internet Safety in my Classroom
I taught for two years in a BYOD school. Each student brought in their own iPad to use as an instructional tool. To maintain student protection on these devices, each family had to sign a technology agreement at the beginning of the year, the LTE internet had to be turned off, and students had to be on the school wifi. This allowed the iPads to only reach what our internet security allowed. I once had my student using an app that only allowed you to join if you were over 13 years old. For this project I sent home a letter to all parents about why we were using it, what purpose it would serve, and how to set up an account. Parents had to allow their child to participate and help them set up the account.
Now, I teach at a different school. My classroom has a class set of Chromebooks. Each child has their own log in which keeps their information secure. These Chromebooks are on our district network in order to provide security. My district has implemented the use of a website called Relay. This allows me to see exactly, on one easy screen, what each of my students is doing on their Chromebook. I can monitor, close screens, or freeze screens from my computer. It lets me know when my students are on a website that is unusual. It is a great way to apply the laws of CIPA and COPPA in my classroom.
Hi Elizabeth:
ReplyDeleteI have heard of Relay. Do you really like it? Do you use it alot? The students are so quick to switch screens back to what they are doing that I don't know when they are off task sometimes.
I agree that students will lie about their age to get on the social media websites. Those laws are a have great intentions, but we still need to teach our students digital citizenship.
"CIPA and COPPA seem like they are doing more good than they are harm." This is a great statement! As you mentioned, the rapid growth of technology makes it incredibly difficult to keep up wit this. Thanks for sharing with your readers how you help with safety in your classroom.
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