Protecting Students Online

Internet Privacy Laws

There are several laws that exist to protect student privacy and data on the internet. As teachers, it is important that we understand these laws so that we can ensure that our students are safe when using the internet. The main laws that protect student privacy are CIPA and COPPA.

The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) is a law that protects children's access to harmful things on the internet. Under this law, libraries and schools must use web filters, monitors, and other security measures to protect children from inappropriate content. According to the Prey Project, to be in compliance with CIPA, schools and libraries must meet the following requirements to be eligible for discounts on internet access (e-rate discounts):

• Must show proof of an internet safety policy.
• Must publicize internet compliance policies.
• Must hold one public meeting to discuss internet safety policy.  

Image Source: NuEDUSEC

Similar to CIPA, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) protects the data of students under 13 years old when they use websites, apps, and social media platforms. This law applies to all online applications and websites that may be accessed by people younger than 13, including those accessed for educational purposes. For those people under 13 that want to use certain platforms, parent permission must be obtained. Since this law directly relates to how schools approach students using online platforms, it is vital that staff understand this law and ways to stay in compliance to protect student data. Schools should focus on the following measures to remain COPPA compliant, as outlined by Infosec in their article "How To Comply with COPPA":

• Determine if the websites used in the classroom are COPPA compliant.
• Post a COPPA-compliant privacy policy. 
• Obtain parental consent and notify parents about information-collecting practices. Honor parents' rights in respect to their child's information.
• Implement sound security procedures to protect information. 

Image Source: Termly

Concerns about CIPA and COPPA

Does COPPA encourage kids to lie? No, not intentionally. However, I do believe that it encourages people under 13 to find other ways to access information or age-inappropriate platforms. For example, many of my 3rd grade students are on TikTok. When I asked them how they were able to get on the app because they were too young, one said to me "well, all you have to do is click the box!". Clearly, they do not understand what they are agreeing to or confirming when signing up for social media platforms, nor do parents read through the agreements and policies before letting their kids on to the platforms (and that is if the students are even seeking parent permission!). 

While CIPA and COPPA are important laws for the protection of minors on the internet, I feel that there is more that can be done to make these laws more effective. First, I feel that the proper age that these laws should target should be older than 13 years old. Research shows that the brain doesn't fully develop until the mid-twenties; in the teenage years, I feel that students still do not have a full understanding of the lasting impact that their decisions can have. Therefore, I propose that the age for COPPA be increased to 16 years old. Having protections for students extended until they are closer to legal adulthood may prevent issues that are occuring as a result of poor judgement or lack of knowledge about the internet in the teenage years!

Furthermore, I feel that we as teachers do our students and families an incredible disservice if we neglect to fully teach them about digital literacy and digital citizenship. The requirement of holding "one public meeting to discuss internet safety policy" to be in compliance with CIPA is simply not enough. I feel that CIPA should mandate digital citizenship curriculum for all students grade K-12; there are so many topics that need to be fully investigated to help students maintain safety and security as they navigate the digital world. Technology will only continue to grow and become more present, so it's only right that we do our part (with parents carrying the lessons through at home) to help produce students who are knowledgable about their rights as digital citizens.