Internet Policy

Location and Supervision

1. 
   The school will provide through an Internet Service Provider, a filtered service. All users should be aware that the school can and does track and record the sites visited, the searches made on the Internet and e-mail sent and received by individual users.
   

2. 
   While using the Internet at school, pupils should, where possible, be supervised. However, when appropriate pupils may pursue electronic research independent of staff supervision if they have been granted permission. In all cases, pupils should be reminded of their responsibility to use these resources in line with school policy on acceptable use.
   

3. 
   The school will endeavour to ensure that all pupils understand how they are to use the Internet appropriately and why the rules exist. Lessons on internet usage are taught within the pastoral programme.
   

4. 
   The network administrators may view files and communications to maintain the system and ensure that users are using the system responsibly.
   

Examples of Acceptable and Unacceptable Use:

1. 
   On-line activities which are encouraged include, for example: the use of e-mail and computer conferencing for communication between colleagues, between pupil(s) and teacher(s), and between pupil(s) and pupil(s), between schools and industry; use of the Internet to investigate and research school subjects, cross-curricular themes and topics related to social and personal development; use of the Internet to investigate careers and Further and Higher Education; the development of pupils’ competence in ICT skills and their general research skills.
   

2. 
   On-line activities which are not permitted include, for example:
   

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  Searching, viewing and/or retrieving materials that are not related to the aims of the curriculum or future careers;
  
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  Copying, saving and/or redistributing copyright protected material, without approval;
  
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  Subscribing to any services or ordering any goods or services, unless approved by the principal;
  
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  Playing computer games or using other interactive ‘chat’ sites, unless specifically assigned by the teacher;
  
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  Using the network in such a way that use of the network by other users is disrupted (example: downloading large files during peak usage times; sending mass e-mail messages);
  
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  Publishing, sharing or distributing any personal information about a user (such as: home address; phone number, etc.);
  
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  Any activity that violates a school rule.
  

3. 
   Cyber Bullying: (Reference to CHGS Anti-Bullying and E-Safety Policies)
   

Care should be taken when making use of the social media for teaching and learning. Each social media technology that is to be utilised must be risk assessed in the context of school use.

Cyber Bullying can take many different forms and guises including:

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  E-mail- nasty or abusive which may include viruses or inappropriate content;
  
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  Instant Messaging (IM) and Chat Rooms- potential to transmit threatening or abusive messages perhaps using a compromised or alias identity;
  
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  Social Networking Sites- typically includes the posting or publication of nasty or upsetting comments on another user’s profile;
  
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  On-line gaming- abuse or harassment of someone using online multi-player gaming sites;
  
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  Mobile Phones- examples can include abusive texts, video or photo messages. Sexting can also occur in this category, where someone is encouraged to share intimate pictures or videos of themselves and these are subsequently transmitted to other people;
  
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  Abusing Personal Information- may involve the posting of photos, personal information, fake comments and blogs, or pretending to be someone online without that person’s permission.
  

Whilst cyber-bullying may appear to provide anonymity for the bully, most messages can be traced back to their creator and pupils must be reminded that cyber-bullying can constitute a criminal offence. While there is no specific legislation for cyber-bullying, the following may cover different elements of cyber-bullying behaviour:

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  Protection form Harassment (NI) Order 1997
  
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  Malicious Communications (NI) Order 1988
  
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  The Communications Act 2003
  

Advice for Parents:

1. 
   While in school teachers will guide pupils toward appropriate materials on the Internet. Outside school, parents or guardians bear the same responsibility for such guidance as they would normally exercise with information sources such as television, telephones, movies, radio or other media.
   
2. 
   Appropriate home use of the Internet by children can be educationally beneficial, and can make a useful contribution to home and schoolwork. It should, however, be supervised, and parents should be aware that they are absolutely responsible for their children’s use of Internet resources at home.
   
3. 
   Offering advice to parents is good practice and Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh therefore advise parents that it provides filtered and monitored access to the Internet for pupils and draw attention to the advice and guidance contained in this policy for its use within the home environment.
   
4. 
   The following guidelines are proposed in the first instance:
   

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  Parents should discuss with their children the rules for using the Internet and decide together when, how long, and what comprises appropriate use;
  
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  Parents should get to know the sites their children visit, and talk to them about what they are learning;
  
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  Parents should ensure that they give their agreement before their children give out personal identifying information in any electronic communication on the Internet, such as a picture, an address, a phone number, the school name, or financial information such as credit card or bank details. In this way parents can protect their children (and themselves) from unwanted or unacceptable overtures from strangers, from unplanned expenditure and from fraud;
  
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  Parents should encourage their children not to respond to any unwelcome, unpleasant or abusive messages or images. If the message comes from an Internet service connection provided by the school, they should immediately inform the school.
  
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  Parents should report any obscene, threatening, sectarian, hate-related, abusive or malicious e-mail, text or message to the PSNI who will investigate every offence reported to them.