Acceptable Use and Internet Safety Policies

The Internet is a global, fluid, and largely unregulated community, having some parts that are not consistent with family, school, and community standards. “The Forsyth County Board of Education believes guidelines regarding acceptable use are warranted in order to serve the educational needs of students” (Board Policy: Acceptable Use of Forsyth County Computers and Network Resources. 2009, p. 1). An acceptable use policy (AUP) sets the conditions under which the computer network may be used. An AUP covers all computer use, outlining the appropriate and ethical behaviors that are expected from users. The policy provides awareness of consequences and disciplinary actions for computer misuse. The consequences of AUP violations include temporary or permanent revocation of computer privileges and potential disciplinary action. The Forsyth County Schools emphasize that access to the Internet and computer resources is a privilege and not a right. Students and parents can be held responsible for damages and may be liable for costs incurred for service or repair. Forsyth County also has an acceptable use policy for employees. (Forsyth County Schools, 2007)
“School AUPs are usually prepared in the form of contracts between the Internet users and their school. At a minimum, they must be written, publicly available statements of official school policy, even if they are not in the form of an agreement. The idea is that it's better to know the rules before one embarks on the road” (Kinnaman, 1995, p.1).

During in-service training at the start of the school year, the AUP is reviewed and it is signed by all employees. A copy of the AUP for students is in the school’s student handbook, and the AUP must be signed by both the student and the parents. The schools also review the AUP with students at the start of the school year, during the weekly instructional focus class. The acceptable use policy for both students and teachers is also available on the Forsyth County website. (Evans, 2009)
The Forsyth County Schools has a policy entitled "Forsyth County Schools Computers and Network Resources Web Site Posting Guidelines" that addresses some safety concerns and guidelines, but the word "blog" is never mentioned. (Forsyth County Schools Computers and Network Resources Student Acceptable Use Guidelines, 2007) Because blogs and social networking may become more prevalent as classroom instructional tools, the Forsyth County Schools might consider an added section to the acceptable use policies that specifically addresses classroom blogs and social networking, as these technologies have their own unique safety and appropriateness concerns.

Board policy: Acceptable use of forsyth county computers and network resources. (2009). Retrieved June 13, 2010 from http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/129410616215017890/blank/browse.asp?a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=53899

Evans, B. (2009). Forsyth county schools: Three year technology plan. (2009). Retrieved on June 10, 2010 from http://forsyth.schoolwires.com/129410616215017890/lib/129410616215017890/ForsythTechPlan2009-2012-forweb.pdf?129410616215017890Nav=|&NodeID=5817

Forsyth county schools computers and network resources student acceptable use guidelines. (2007). Retrieved June 9, 2010 from http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/13072072183841607/lib/13072072183841607/FC-_Student_AUP.pdf

Kinnaman, D. (June, 1995). Critiquing Acceptable Use Policies. Retrieved June 9, 2010, from http://www.io.com/~kinnaman/aupessay.html