The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers consisting of millions of computer systems containing a vast array of information, resources and services.  In order to provide all students with a high quality education in a safe and secure environment, it is essential that students and staff have access to the Internet and understand how to leverage technology as a tool is support of educational excellence and student achievement at West Covina Unified School District.

Student well-being and safety is paramount and the safe use of our network is the responsibility of WCUSD.  The District is making every effort to ensure the safety of all students and part of that effort is to provide students and staff with a safe and secure environment for teaching and learning.  The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) are federal laws enacted by Congress that determine how the Internet is accessed and used at WCUSD.

CIPA

The Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) (20 U.S.C. 6801) requires schools to have technology protection measures in place that block or filter Internet content and a safety policy addressing the behavior of minors when using the Internet.  (Additional information is available at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html)

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232) protects the privacy of student education records.  FERPA gives parents and students specific rights concerning the disclosure of education records.  (Additional information about FERPA is available at http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html)

COMPUTER VIRUS
Viruses show us how vulnerable we are -- a properly engineered virus can have a devastating effect, disrupting productivity and doing enormous amount of dollars in damages. In addition to anti-virus software, viruses can be avoided by practicing safe computing behavior (Document: 6 Rules for Safe Computing)

CYBERBULLYING
Bullying such as repeated threats, insults or put-downs that occurs over the Internet (email, instant message, or text message. (Video: kids | teens and parents)

CYBERHARRASMENT (Predators and Strangers)
Harrasment over the Internet that involves an adult.? This type of agressive online communication may involve a child and an adult, or an adult and another adult. (Video: all)

IDENTITY THEFT
A serious crime that occurs when one's personal information is stolen and used without permission for the purposes of commiting fraud and other crimes. (Video: kids | teens)

ONLINE GROOMIMG
A deliberate action taken by an adult to befriend and establish an emotional connection with a child by giving compliments, gift , etc. The goal is to gain the child's trust and lower his/her inhibitions. (Video: all)

PHISHING
An attempt to acquire personal information (such as usernames, passwords, etc.) from unsuspecting users by pretending to be a trustworthy site.

For additional information and videos, please visit wiredsafety.org.

• OnGuardOnline.gov - a resource made available by the federal government to help you be safe, secure and responsible online. OnGuardOnline.gov is a partner in the Stop Think Connect campaign, led by the Department of Homeland Security, and part of the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
• Yahoo! Safely - Learn how to make smart and safer choices online and get advice on using Yahoo! and other products safely.
• Common Sense - Reviews and ratings for movies, television, video games, music CDs, books, and websites. Common Sense Media helps parents choose what is appropriate for kids.
• Disney's Surf Swell Island - Adventure games. (Grades 2-6)
• PBS Kids Web License - Learn the web's "Rules of the Road". (Grades 2-6)
• Doug's Safe Surfing Tips - 33 easy to understand safe surfing tips for students. (Grades K-4)
• NetSmartz What 2 Do On the Web - Interactive activites. (Grades 4-8)
• http://www.getnetwise.org is a public service brought by Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences. The GetNetWise coalition wants Internet users to be just one click away from the resources they need to make informed decisions about their and their family's use of the Internet.
• Disney's CyberNetiquette Comix - Interactive comic on email and computer viruses. (Grades K-3)
• http://www.wiredsafety.org Internet safety, help and education resource.
• http://www.childnet-int.org A non-profit organization working with others to “help make the Internet a great and safe place for children”.
• http://www.staysafeonline.info Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Alliance. Through collaboration with the government, corporate, non-profit and academic sectors, the mission of the NCSA is to create a culture of cyber security and safety awareness by providing the knowledge and tools necessary to prevent cyber crime and attacks.
• Websites for parents, teens, experts, everybody to discuss safe use of resources on the Web.  These sites are operated by journalist Larry Magid.
  • http://www.connectsafely.org
  • http://www.safekids.com
  • http://www.safeteens.com