CIPA requirements

[Amy Brokaw]

For those who have implement Kindles, Nooks, or iPads into their schools, school libraries, or public libraries, how have you dealt with CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act)?  In order to be compliant, our school district is required to filter all web content downloaded to electronic devices.  Have you been able to implement a firewall on iPads or a Kindle?

[Nate Hoffelder]

iOS has parental controls, doesn't it? That would probably fill the need for CIPA.

As for the Kindle, the only way to be CIPA compliant would be with the Kindle Wifi, and you'd have to do it with the network. You'd have to have a filter running on one of the network routers (or something like that). There's no way to Kindle 3G.

[cathy troublefield]

I am in the process of investigating such issues now so that I can begin to use Kindles in my HS library.  I have been told that I can disable their Whispernet connection - and this will keep the Kindle from accessing the web or Amazon from my school wifi which is secured.  Anyone tried this?

[Nate Hoffelder]

Yes, you can disable the Whispernet but I don't think it's password protected. A student can simply turn it back on. <- Could someone check this?

cathy troublefield said:

I am in the process of investigating such issues now so that I can begin to use Kindles in my HS library.  I have been told that I can disable their Whispernet connection - and this will keep the Kindle from accessing the web or Amazon from my school wifi which is secured.  Anyone tried this?

[Robin Schrack]

Yes, a student can turn the WiFi back on.  We are facing this issue right now.  District level administration has the concern about the liability when we check out a Kindle to students and they use it outside the school to access unfiltered information.  You can see if a network has been added to the device.  You can also disable images, although this can be turned back on.  You can also check the history, but the user can also clear it.  I have been in contact with Amazon and inquired about this very issue.  Even if you deregister the device the user can still access the web.  Any suggestions on how your district has addressed this issue would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

[Brenda McCombs]

Good article in reference to your question:

 

http://theunquietlibrarian.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/cipa-and-kindles/

[Robin Schrack]

Yes, I have read Buffy's article.  Thank you!  It still didn't have conclusive information that clears a district from the liability issue of CIPA compliance when students have a Kindle that allows web access without a filter.  I am trying to convince Amazon that this is something they should pursue.