Outline of the state of Georgia
State
Georgia
Required

Category
Acceptable Internet Use Policies

Category
Acceptable Internet Use Policies

State law requires districts to adopt Internet use policies or to provide instruction on safe Internet use.

Official Code of Georgia Annotated 20-2-149. Program for educating students regarding online Internet safety

(a) The Department of Education shall develop a model program for educating students regarding online safety while using the Internet, taking into consideration educational materials on this topic developed by other states as well as any other materials suggested by education experts, child psychologists, and technology companies that promote child online safety issues.

(b) Each local board of education may incorporate into its instructional program a component on online Internet safety to be taught on a schedule as determined by the local board of education.

Policy Type
Statute

Official Code of Georgia Annotated 20-2-324. Internet safety policies in public schools

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

  • (1) "Acceptable-use policy" means a policy for Internet usage adopted by a local board of education that meets the requirements of this Code section.
  • (2) "Child pornography" means any computer depiction or other material depicting a child under the age of 18 years engaging in sexually explicit conduct or in the simulation of such conduct.
  • (3) "Harmful to minors" has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-100.1.
  • (4) "Internet" means a global network that connects computers via telephone lines, fiber networks, or both to electronic information.
  • (5) "Obscene" has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-80.
  • (6) "Sexually explicit conduct" has the meaning given to such term in Code Section 16-12-100.

(b) No later than January 1, 2007, each local board of education shall adopt an acceptable-use policy for its school system. At a minimum, an acceptable-use policy shall contain provisions which are reasonably designed to:

  • (1) Prevent students and employees of the school system from using any computer equipment and communication services owned or leased by the school system for sending, receiving, viewing, or downloading visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, or material that is harmful to minors;
  • (2) Establish appropriate measures to be taken against students and school employees who willfully violate the acceptable-use policy; and
  • (3) Provide for expedited review and resolution of a claim that the policy is denying a student or school employee access to material that is not within the prohibition of the acceptable-use policy.

(c) A local board of education shall take such steps as it deems appropriate to implement and enforce the acceptable-use policy, which shall include, but not be limited to:

  • (1) Use of software programs reasonably designed to block access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors; or
  • (2) Selection of online servers that block access to visual depictions of obscenity, child pornography, and material that is harmful to minors.

(d) Each local school system shall provide, upon written request of a parent or guardian, a copy of the acceptable-use policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section.

(e) The Attorney General and the department shall consult with and assist any local board of education in the development and implementation of an acceptable-use policy pursuant to this Code section.

Policy Type
Statute

Student Data Privacy and Security

Presentation addresses student data privacy and security, including sample acceptable use policy.

Policy Type
Non-codified