The Cobb County Board of Education recognizes that Electronic Media such as the Network/Internet offer vast, diverse, and unique resources to both students and teachers that should promote educational excellence in our schools.

Strict compliance with all applicable ethical and legal rules and regulations must be maintained by all users of the Cobb County School District Network/Internet services.

Adopted: 12/13/95

Internet access is available to students and teachers in the Cobb County School District. All Internet users must sign the Internet Use Authorization Form. Student users must also have a parent or guardian sign the Parent or Guardian Authorization and a teacher sign the Sponsoring Teacher Authorization. The Internet Use Authorization forms are provided in Exhibit IFBGA.

All Internet users are subject to the following rules and regulations:

1. Acceptable Use -- The purpose of the school network/Internet, is to support research and education in and among academic institutions in the U.S and the world by providing access to unique resources and the opportunity for collaborative work. The use of the network must be in support of education and research and consistent with the educational objectives of the Cobb County School District. Transmission of any material in violation of any U.S., or state regulation, or Cobb County School District policy is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, threatening or obscene material, or material protected by trade secret. Use for commercial activities is not acceptable. Use for product advertisement or political lobbying is prohibited.

2. Privileges -- The use of the network/Internet is a privilege, not a right, and inappropriate use will result in a cancellation of those privileges (each user who receives an account or access to the Internet must first participate in a training session which is approved by the Cobb County School District). The network administrator (the Superintendent, or the Superintendent's designee) will deem what is inappropriate. Also, the network administrator may close an account at any time as required. An administrator, faculty member, or staff member of the Cobb County School District may request of the network administrator the denial, revocation, or suspension of specific user(s) account(s).

3. Network Etiquette -- The user is expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

a) Illegal activities are strictly prohibited.

b) The use of profanity, vulgarities or other inappropriate language is prohibited.

c) Personal information such as personal address or phone number is prohibited.

d) Electronic mail (e-mail) is not private and inappropriate or illegal messages will be reported to the authorities.

e) Use of the network/Internet in such a way that you disrupt the use of the network by other users is prohibited.

f) All communications and information accessible via the network should be assumed to be subject to copyright law.

4. The Cobb County School District makes no warranties of any kind, whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing. Cobb County School District will not be responsible for any damages you suffer. This includes loss of data resulting from delays, nondeliveries, mis-deliveries, or service interruptions caused by its own negligence or errors or omissions, or yours. Use of any information obtained via the network/Internet is at your own risk. Cobb County School District specifically denies any responsibility for the accuracy or quality of any information obtained through its services.

5. Security -- Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when the system involves many users. If you suspect a security problem on the network/Internet, you are required to notify the network administrator or your Internet Coordinator (the Superintendent, or the Superintendent's designee). Do not demonstrate the problem to other users. Never use another individual's account. Attempts to logon to the network/Internet as a network administrator will result in cancellation of your user privileges. Any user(s) identified as a security risk or having a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access to the network/Internet through any Cobb County Public School.

6. Vandalism -- Vandalism will result in revocation of access and disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as any malicious attempt to harm or destroy equipment or data of another user, the Internet, or any other networks. This includes, but is not limited to, the uploading or creation of computer viruses.