Internet Safety Procedures

The Internet Safety Officer will be appointed and will be responsible for ensuring that:

• Filtering software is deployed on all terminals that access the Internet.

• The Internet Safety Procedures is clearly displayed on the wall in every classroom with the poster from the Internet Safety Kit which clearly outlines the severity of penalties for illegal use of the Internet.

• The school will continue to refine methods of improving safety on the Internet.
  
  Student* use of the Internet:

• All students must sign the School Computer and Internet Use Agreement AND have the signed permission of a parent/caregiver before using the Internet at school. These documents must be kept on file by the appropriate staff member. New pupils to sign as part of the enrolment process.

• Students can use the Internet only during class time unless given special permission, in which case a teacher must supervise.

• A student may not use the Internet unless a teacher is in the room i.e. a student cannot use the Internet unsupervised. This also applies to any special use before or after school, morning interval and lunch hours.

• All Computer screens must be visible by all supervising staff whenever computers are being used for accessing the internet.

• Any use of the Internet other than that specified here, e.g. by custodial staff, staff or student’s family, or use after hours, must be with the agreement of the Internet Safety Officer.
  
  (* ‘Student’ can be an adult day student, an adult Community Education student, or any young person whether or not a student of the school. For example, a teacher’s child can use the school Internet facilities only after signing the Student Computer and Internet Use Agreement and under supervision approved by the teacher in charge.)
  
  Staff * use of the Internet:

• All staff members must sign a copy of the School Internet Safety Procedures and the Staff Internet Use Agreement indicating they are aware of the details of these Procedures before using the Internet at School. This documentation will be kept on file by the school.

• Training for staff who use these facilities is available through the staff member responsible for Information and Communication Technology and is essential for the safety and protection of staff, students, and equipment.

• In consultation with the Internet Safety Officer staff can request website links be placed on the school web pages (home page for browsers) to provide quick access to particular sites.

• Students will have a specific purpose and will be directed to sites on the Net, rather than surfing, which is why staff members must gain experience using the Internet before letting their students use it. Students will not be permitted to “surf”

• Staff can have individual Internet e-mail addresses.
  
  (*'Staff’ includes any tutors in Community Education, and all school personnel both teaching and non-teaching.)

School Protocol For Incidents Involving The Internet:

These steps will be followed when a student has been found accessing, possessing, or distributing illegal pornography or other objectionable material at school.

1. Objectionable material as defined by the Films, Videos and Publications Classifications Act, 1993, is found.

2. Printed matter is confiscated immediately. Immediate audit of relevant computers.

3. Material and facts discussed with the Internet Safety Officer in the school.

4. The Internet Safety Officer talks with the student(s) concerned, in accordance with the school’s normal procedures when investigating possible misconduct. The Internet Safety Officer assesses the situation in
   consultation with relevant staff.

5. If the Internet Safety Officer advises the Principal that the matter is of sufficient gravity to proceed further, student(s) and their parents/caregivers will be informed by the school. They may be
   invited to a meeting attended by the Internet Safety Officer and the Principal to discuss the situation and consequences.
    

Possible follow-up responses to incidents involving a student:
(Any combination of the responses below may occur.)

• Internet Safety Officer or Principal.

• Referral to a counsellor or to a sexual offender.
  Treatment programme for full assessment.

• Disciplinary response, which could include a suspension. (* If a suspension is considered, the school will follow normal procedures for suspending a student.)

• Educational/ counseling follow-up with a group of students or even the student body as a whole.

• Principal prepares a press release for the media.

• School reviews all Internet
  Safety measures in light of the offending that occurred.

This protocol deals with pornography that is illegal to possess in New Zealand. This pornography is deemed ‘objectionable material’ under the Films, Videos and Publications Classifications Act, 1993. Most of this ‘objectionable material’ is child pornography, but some other types of pornography and material are illegal as well.

It is recommended the school’s Internet Safety Officer (ISO) leads the investigation, advises the Principal on the appropriate school response and assists in its implementation.

If there are questions about images a student has been found to possess, the ISO can consult with the Department of Internal Affairs-Censorship Compliance to determine if the material is indeed illegal.
(See the Internet Safety Kit Resource List on page 6 of ‘Information for School Administrations’.)
 

What if the student is an adult?

Incidents involving adults who are on the school student roll will be treated in much the same way as for younger students.

A school’s Board of Trustees would need to address any Internet situation involving an adult Community Education student. It is important that all adult students sign the same Computer and Internet Use Agreement as younger students do, so the guidelines for Internet use are clear before a student has access.

What if the incident involves a staff member?

Accessing or downloading pornographic and other material, which in itself may not be illegal but is nonetheless inappropriate in the school, may constitute misconduct.

In these circumstances, disciplinary action against the employee concerned should be considered by the Board, but only after a proper investigation has been conducted to establish whether such misconduct has occurred.

The Board and management of the school should deal with accessing, possession, or distribution of any illegal material which constitutes criminal misconduct, under the same disciplinary procedures available for any
other type of criminal misconduct by an employee.

Allegations of misconduct based on misuse of the Internet in the ways outlined here will be more easily sustained where there is an explicit procedures on Internet use or a Staff Internet Use Agreement. Both are in place for West Eyreton School staff.
 

How do we protect students if an incident outlined in this protocol happens?

When an incident occurs, it is vital to ensure students can use the school computers in safety. An immediate audit of relevant computers and a ban on student use should be undertaken until that safety is assured.

Consider who to notify, which could include some, or all, of the following: Board of Trustees, Department of Internal Affairs - Censorship Compliance, New Zealand Police, staff, parents/caregivers, students, Ministry
of Education and the media.

The school would also have to address the counselling and support needs of any staff members or students directly affected.

INTERNET USE – STAFF AGREEMENT

Rationale:

Use of the Internet facilities at West Eyreton School by staff or students is at all times solely for educational purposes. This includes any “personal use” and use for professional development of staff.

Staff need to be aware that any incident involving material which is deemed “objectionable” under the Films, Videos and Publications Classifications Act 1993 could constitute criminal misconduct necessitating police action. As well, involvement with any material which while not illegal under the Act, is nonetheless detrimental to the safety of the school environment, may constitute professional misconduct serious enough to require disciplinary response by the school.

(A) Staff Use

• Staff may have individual Internet e-mail addresses.

• Links to websites can be placed on the school web pages (home pages for the browsers) to provide quick access to particular sites.

• If a staff member ever wishes his/her own child to make use of the school Internet facilities, the same regulations apply as itemised below for student use. In particular, note that the parent must be present at all times.

(B) Staff responsibilities when using the computer facilities with students

1. Before ANY student can make use of the Internet:-

• A West Eyreton School Computer and Internet Use - Student Agreement must be filled in and signed by both student and caregivers.

• This form should be returned to the school office where it is processed and recorded on Pupil Files.

• UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES may a staff member permit a student to use the Internet unless that staff member has sighted official proof that the school has Care-giver permission on record.

• It is the staff member’s responsibility to ensure that this condition is met, and this will be monitored by the Internet safety Officer.

2. Staff may only supervise student use of the Internet only if those staff members have basic Internet Safety skills and are confident with using the Internet. (See Box 1 over page.)

3. The staff member must be in the room, remain there and actively supervise while the students are using the Internet. No students may be sent to a computer room unsupervised to use the Internet, in or out of class time.

4. Students should be regularly reminded that they have signed an agreement restricting use of the school Internet facilities to educational purposes only, and that there are severe penalties (including possible involvement of the Police) for breaking this agreement.

5. E-mail - any student may have an Internet e-mail address. However, this is to be an alias off the school domain only.

6. Students will have a specific purpose and will be directed to sites on the Net, rather than surfing, which is why staff members must gain experience using the Internet before letting their students use it. Students will not be permitted to “surf”.

7. Students may access the Internet only during a staff supervised activity; this will usually occur in class time.

8. Inappropriate use of the Internet by a student must be reported immediately to the Internet Safety Officer.

(C) School Web Site

The school will have a website which will be updated from time to time. This allows information about the school and provides a way of publishing student work.

Please also see On-line Publications of Students images and work agreements.

(D) Monitoring

• Staff and students need to be aware that with the current systems set up to access the Internet, a record is kept of which sites are visited, how often and from which terminal.

• Filtering software will be deployed where appropriate to restrict access to certain sites.

• If deemed necessary, auditing of the school computer system could include all aspects of its use e.g. personal network storage folders.

(E) Staff Internet-Use Agreement

• Please fill in and sign the attached sheet regarding Student Safety, Professional Development, and your agreement to the school’s Procedures.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE - STUDENT AGREEMENT

Read this notice carefully. Then keep it so you can check with it again. That way you will not forget what it says.

These are the important rules I must follow:

1. School computers are to help me with classroom learning. They are not for play.

2. It is important to keep safe while using the Internet and e-mail. This means I must follow the school’s safety rules.

3. The only time I can use the Internet and e-mail at school is when a teacher is supervising me.

4. I am not allowed to try and look up things on the Internet which I know are not for children. This might be objectionable material, or information which is dangerous. Some of it is against the law. (Your teacher will explain this to you).

5. I must be sensible when using e-mail. I know that I must not send messages which I would not want my parents or teacher to read, even as a joke. I agree that:

I will take care of our computers:

• I will not damage any equipment or furniture.

• I will not use any school computer for arcade-style games.

• I will not copy any software.

• I will not bring software from home to use on a school computer.

• I will not print anything without the permission of the teacher.

I will be considerate of other users:

• I will not monopolise equipment - I will share.

• I will not deliberately disrupt the computer or the school’s network.

• I will not be involved in electronic vandalism, for example creating viruses.

• If I accidentally come across offensive, dangerous or illegal material I will immediately remove it from the screen and tell the teacher, without showing any other students.

I will look after myself sensibly:

• I will not give anyone on the Internet information about others or myself – this includes addresses and phone numbers.

• I will tell the teacher if I come across any problem.

• I should ensure the teacher authorises any of my communications made via the internet, and the replies.

I understand that if I break this agreement in any way I may lose the right to use computers at school. The school may also take disciplinary action against me, and may include involving the Police.