Understanding CIPA Renee Hobbs LSC 530 Texts and Tools for Children and Youth

CIPA Children’s Internet Protection Act Signed into law in 2000; found constitutional in 2003 Purpose: Encourage public libraries and schools to filter child pornography and obscene or “harmful to minors” images from the library’s Internet connection in exchange for continued federal funding.

Why? There is a need to protect vulnerable children from images that are sexually explicit and inappropriate for children Children may accidentally stumble upon these images in innocent search activities Libraries and schools have “in loco parentis” responsibilities for the well-being of children

Requirements To receive e-rate and other federal funding 1.Schools and public libraries must adopt a written policy that includes an Internet filter. 2.They hold a public meeting before the policy is enacted. 3.The Internet filtering is enforced when the computers are used.

What Kind of Filter? A “technology protection measure” designed: To keep adults from accessing images online that are obscene or child pornography. To block minors’ access to images that are "harmful to minors," that is, sexually explicit images that adults have a legal right to access but lacking any serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.

Critics Say Library filters block constitutionally protected content. Filters don’t actually effectively block obscene content. Kids are under-prepared for the open web. We don’t know exactly what’s being blocked. Content blocking goes against the ethical obligations of librarians.

Other Stakeholders Say…. A search and find activity QUICK FIND: A.What do librarians say about CIPA? B.What do technology specialists say about CIPA? C.What do media professionals say about CIPA? D.What do community leaders say about CIPA?