Legal Guide to Combat CyberBullying for Principals by Alvin Garza

· Comply with Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) which requires safety education in our district.

Importance of Bill:

Garza states that Senate Bill 179 is essential to her work as she oversees all network access throughout the district. This Bill will impact the way the internet is provided to students and staff, thus changing the way her department and network operates. The district is also required to have all staff and students (with parental signature) sign an Acceptable Use Policy form at the beginning of the year. Garza states that the technology department will always serve as a resource for principals to help prevent cyberbullying at their campuses. Her department also ensures principals are up to date with new Cyberbullying laws by having them attend professional development sessions, where she provides them information on what a principal needs in order to comply with state and federal laws. She provides principals booklets and resources from the Federal Trade Commission for teachers, students, and parents. This resources include information tips and recommendations on the prevention and awareness of cyber bullying. Garza also requires principals and their staff to take online lessons on cyberbullying via isafe.com as well as providing providing access and links to a K-12 digital curriculum through common sense media. Specific lessons on cyber bullying are included at each grade level.

Impact of Bill and emerging issues:

Garza states one of her emerging issues is the increase of attempts of cyber-attacks such as malware, ransomware, as well as phishing. The technology department staff has taken aggressive steps to implement cybersecurity measures; this includes content filtering and stricter firewalls. Garza stated in order to make sure the district complies with Senate Bill 179, the district beginning fall 2019, will require all students and staff to enter their credentials when accessing the “guest” network. Having everyone who accesses the network login will allow the district to filter and track precise language related to cyberbullying, giving the district the ability to monitor cyberbullying on their network by anyone who accesses their network. Garza says she stays relevant on the topic by continually researching information and requirements, as well as attending conferences that address the importance of preventing cyberbullying.
Garza said a legal padlet would be a great benefit and resource for principals to use especially on this ever updating topic. It gives the principals what they need to stay in compliance and a resource where they can look back on to ensure they doing what is legally correct.