Internet Acceptable Use Policy

The AUP establishes guidelines for appropriate Internet use by students and staff along with its enforcement. It is a clearly defined document that communicates a mutual understanding of how the Internet may be appropriately used through school resources. It is designed to protect the interests of students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

Required to retain E-rate funding, the Internet Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) must address the following requirements:

• Enforcement to ensure the operation of the filtering technology during any use of such computers by minors.
• Access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet.
• The safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications.
• Unauthorized access, including so-called 'hacking' and other unlawful activities by minors online.
• Unauthorized disclosure, use and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors.
• Measures designed to restrict minors' access to materials harmful to minors.
• Means of monitoring the online activities of minors. However, the legislation states that "Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title shall be construed to require the tracking of Internet use by any identifiable minor or adult user."

The above requirements are necessary to receive E-rate funding. Your school may include additional requirements to best meet your needs and objectives. To make writing this policy easier for you please review the sample policies below. You may copy any portion of our samples for your own use.

Internet Acceptable Use Policies (94K PDF)