Agenda Item
3. SECOND READ: Amendment to the Bylaws & Policies: Board Policy: IFBG: Internet Acceptable Use
Summary: Presented by: Mr. Glinton R. Darien, Jr., Director of Legal Affairs, Division of Legal Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education accept the proposed revisions to Board Policy IFBG: Internet Acceptable Use to lay on the table as a second read at the August 10, 2026, board meeting for stakeholder feedback until August 24, 2026, and be considered for adoption at a future board meeting.
Why: These policy revisions are being proposed for language updates and for language clarifications.
Details: Board Policy IFBG: Internet Acceptable Use. The proposed policy includes language clarifications and updates related to social media and Artificial Intelligence (AI) usage in alignment with state requirements. There will also be supporting regulations specifically addressing equipment use, social media and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The Policy Committee reviewed the proposed revisions and recommended placing this policy on today’s agenda as a Second Read.
Financial impact: No Financial Impact
Contact: Mr. Glinton R. Darien, Jr., Director of Legal Affairs, Division of Legal Services
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Attorney Approval Not Required
Board Policy Manual
DeKalb County School District
Board Policy IFBG: Internet Acceptable Use Status: DRAFT -
1st Reading
Original Adopted Date: 01/01/1900 | Last Revised Date: Pending | Last Reviewed Date:
04/30/2026
RED LINED VERSION
The DeKalb County School District ("DCSD" or "District") provides technologies, networks, and
Internet access to support the educational mission of the District and to enhance the curriculum
and learning opportunities for students and District employees. These technology resources may
be used only in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of
the District.
All guidelines set forth in this policy and any relevant regulations or rules are applicable to all
telecommunication services and equipment provided by the District including, but not limited to,
the following:
1. Computer workstations and notebook computers;
2. Smart phones, tablets, e-readers, and other mobile devices;
3. Internet services;
4. Telephone services; and
5. Cellular telephone services.
Acceptable use agreements must be signed by all users of District technologies or networks.
I. INTERNET SAFETY
A. The Superintendent shall, with respect to any computer or other technology
connecting to the District network and having access to the Internet:
1. Ensure that a qualifying “technology protection measure,” as that term is
defined in section 1703(b)(1) of the Children’s Internet Protection Act of
2000 (“CIPA”), is installed and in continuous operation;
2. Ensure that minors are educated about appropriate online behavior,
including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites
and in chat rooms, and about cyber bullying awareness and response, as
required by CIPA and as set forth in Board Policy JCDAG; and
3. Implement, maintain, and enforce procedures or guidelines that provide for
monitoring of the online activities of users and of the use of “technology
protection measures” to prevent access to visual depictions that are (i)
“obscene,” (ii) “child pornography,” or (iii) “harmful to minors,” as those terms
are defined in section 1721(c) of CIPA.
B. The Superintendent shall, with respect to access to the Internet by or through
computers, networks or other devices belonging to the District network, implement,
maintain and enforce procedures or guidelines that
1. Provide for monitoring the online activities of users to limit, to the extent
reasonably feasible, access by minors to inappropriate matter on the
Internet;
2. Are designed to promote the safety and security of minors when using
electronic mail, social media, and other forms of direct electronic
communications;
3. Are designed to prevent unauthorized access, including so-called “hacking,”
and other unauthorized activities by minors online;
4. Are designed to prevent the unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination
of personal identification information regarding minors;
5. Are designed to restrict minors’ access to materials “harmful to minors,” as
that term is defined in section 1721(c) of CIPA; and
6. Establish consequences for students and employees who willfully violate
acceptable-use procedures.
II. EMPLOYEE USE OF TECHNOLOGY
District employees are to utilize the District’s technologies, networks, and Internet services
only for District-related purposes and performance of job duties. Incidental personal use of
District technologies, meaning use by an individual employee for occasional personal
communications, is permitted only if such use does not interfere with the employee’s job
duties and performance, with District operations, or with other District users. Employees
are reminded that such incidental personal use must comply with this policy and all other
applicable policies, regulations, procedures, and rules. Each employee is responsible for his
or her actions and activities involving District technologies, networks, and Internet services,
and for his or her computer files, passwords, and accounts. Examples of prohibited
unacceptable uses include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Any use that is illegal or in violation of other Board of Education policies, including, for
example, harassing, discriminatory, or threatening communications and behavior, or violations of
copyright laws;
2. Any use involving materials that are obscene, pornographic, sexually explicit, or
sexually suggestive;
3. Any inappropriate communications with students or minors;
3.4.Any posting of audio recordings, photographs or videos of students or minors to any
on line or to social media accounts without the express permission of the parent or
guardian;
4.5.Any use for private financial gain or for commercial advertising or solicitation
purposes;
5.6.Any use as a forum for communicating by e-mail or other medium with other District
users or outside parties to solicit, proselytize, advocate, or communicate the views
of an individual or non-District sponsored organization; to solicit membership in or
support of any non-District sponsored organization; or to raise funds for any non-
District sponsored purpose, whether for-profit or non-profit. No employee shall
knowingly provide District e-mail addresses to outside parties whose intent is to
communicate with District employees, students, or their families for non-District or
non-school related purposes. Employees who are uncertain as to whether particular
activities are acceptable should seek further guidance from their immediate
supervisor;
6.7.Any communication that represents an individual’s personal views as those of the
District or any school unit or that could be misinterpreted as such;
7.8.Downloading or loading software or applications without permission of the
Department of Management Information Systems;
8.9.Opening and forwarding any e-mail attachments (executable files) from unknown
sources and/or that may contain viruses;
9.10. Sending or facilitating mass e-mails to school users or outside parties for any
purpose, unless prior permission has been granted;
10.11. Any malicious use or disruption of the District technologies, networks, and
Internet services or breach of security features;
11.12. Any misuse or damage to District technology;
12.13. Misuse of computer passwords or accounts, including providing personal
passwords to non-District personnel;
13.14. Any communications that are in violation of generally accepted rules of
network etiquette and/or professional conduct;
14.15. Any attempt to access unauthorized websites;
15.16. Using District technologies, networks, or Internet services after such access
has been denied, revoked or suspended; or
16.17. Any attempt to modify, delete, erase, or otherwise conceal any information
stored on District technologies or networks that violates this policy.
District employees should report all known breaches of technology use or security to the
Executive Director for Management Information Systems or the Office of Internal Affairs.
The District retains control, custody, and supervision of all technologies, networks, and
Internet services owned or leased by the District. The District reserves the right to monitor
all technology and Internet activity by all system users. Users have no expectation of privacy
in their use of school technologies or networks, including e-mail messages and stored files.
Employees are expected to use appropriate judgment and caution in communications
concerning students and employees to ensure that personally identifiable information
remains confidential.
Teachers, staff members, and volunteers who utilize school technology for instructional
purposes with students have a duty of care to supervise such use. Teachers, staff, and
volunteers are expected to be familiar with the District’s policies and rules concerning
student computer and Internet use and to enforce them. When, in the course of their duties,
employees and volunteers become aware of student violations, they are expected to stop the
activity and inform the building principal or other appropriate administrator.
Employees shall be responsible for any losses, costs, or damages incurred by the District
related to violations of this policy and other rules or regulations.
The District assumes no responsibility for any unauthorized charges made by employees,
including but not limited to credit card charges, subscriptions, long distance telephone
charges, equipment and line costs, or for any illegal use of its computers or other
technologies.
Policy Reference Disclaimer:
These references are not intended to be part of the policy itself, nor do they indicate the basis or authority
for the board to enact this policy. Instead, they are provided as additional resources for those interested in
the subject matter of the policy.
Note: To access the policy references, CLICK HERE: State of Georgia Terms and Conditions and close the
LexisNexis tab, which will return you to the policy. Click on the links below to be taken to each specific
code. You should only have to do this one time per session.
State Description
O.C.G.A. 10-01-0912 Notification required upon breach of security regarding
personal information
O.C.G.A. 16-09-0090 Georgia Computer Systems Protection Act
O.C.G.A. 16-09-0091 Computer Related Crime
O.C.G.A. 16-09-0092 Computer Crimes: Definitions
O.C.G.A. 16-09-0093 Computer crimes defined
O.C.G.A. 16-09-0093.1 Misleading transmittal
O.C.G.A. 16-09-0094 Violations
O.C.G.A. 16-09-0122 Attempting or conspiring to attempt identity fraud
O.C.G.A. 16-11-0037.1 Dissemination of information relating to terroristic acts
O.C.G.A. 16-12-0100.1 Electronically furnishing obscene material to minors
O.C.G.A. 16-12-0100.2 Computer or electronic pornography and child
exploitation prevention
O.C.G.A. 20-02-0324 Internet safety policies in public schools
O.C.G.A. 20-02-0666 Activities by operators; limitations
O.C.G.A. 39-05-0002 Subscriber's control of minor's use of internet
O.C.G.A. 39-05-0003 Immunity
O.C.G.A. 39-05-0004 Internet safety report of certain information
Federal Description
15 USC 6501 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act - Definitions
15 USC 6502 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act-Regulation of
unfair and deceptive acts in collection and use of
personal info from and about children
15 USC 6503 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act - Safe harbors
20 USC 7131 Internet Safety
47 USC 254(h)(5) Universal Service-Requirements for certain schools with
computers having Internet access
Cross References
Code Description
IFBGA-R(1) Electronic Communications
JAA Equal Educational Opportunities
JAA-E(1) Equal Educational Opportunities
JD Student Discipline
JS Student Fees, Fines, and Charges