Chromebook Internet Content Filter
About the Children's Internet Protection Act
The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was enacted by Congress to address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. CIPA imposes certain requirements, such as internet content filtering, on schools or libraries that receive discounts for Internet access through the E-rate program. More information on CIPA can be found on the FCC website Links to an external site..
HCPSS Policy and Procedures
In order to comply with CIPA and HCPSS Board of Education Policy 8080, Responsible Use of Technology Links to an external site., HCPSS attempts to filter abusive, libelous, obscene, offensive, profane, threatening, sexually explicit, pornographic, illegal, or other inappropriate material that is harmful to minors.
The HCPSS internet content filter works by categorization sites, and blocking categories considered inappropriate for student viewing, such as, alcohol-and-tobacco and gambling. However, due to the vast number of sites on the Internet, sites may occasionally be categorized incorrectly. When attempting to view sites that are blocked, computer users will receive a message similar to the one below.
Submitting Request to Re-categorize a Site
People may request sites be re-categorized Links to an external site.. If the site is re-categorized by the content filtering company, it may become blocked or available depending on its new category. Links to an external site.
Blocked Website Categories
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| abortion |
Sites that pertain to information or groups in favor of or against abortion, details regarding abortion procedures, help or support forums for or against abortion, or sites that provide information regarding the consequences/effects of pursuing (or not) an abortion. |
| adultabused-drugs | Sites that promote the abuse of both legal and illegal drugs, use and sale of drug related paraphernalia, manufacturing and/or selling of drugs. |
| adult | Sexually explicit material, media (including language), art, and/or products, online groups or forums that are sexually explicit in nature. Sites that promote adult services such as video/telephone conferencing, escort services, strip clubs, etc…Anything containing adult content (even if it's games or comics) will be categorized as adult. |
| alcohol-and-tobacco | Sites that pertain to the sale, manufacturing, or use of alcohol and/or tobacco products and related paraphernalia. Includes sites related to electronic cigarettes. |
| copyright infringement | Websites and services that are dedicated to illegally serving videos, movies or other media for download, explicitly infringing copyright holders. The default policy action for this category is "Block". |
| custurl_hcpss_blocklist | Sites deemed potentially harmful to students, and not already blocked through one of the other blocked categories. |
| dating | Websites offering online dating services, advice, and other personal ads. |
| extremism | Websites promoting terrorism, racism, fascism or other extremist views discriminating people or groups of different ethnic backgrounds, religions or other beliefs. |
| gambling | Lottery or gambling websites that facilitate the exchange of real and/or virtual money. Related websites that provide information, tutorials or advice regarding gambling, including betting odds and pools. Corporate websites for hotels and casinos that do not enable gambling are categorized under Travel |
| hacking | Sites relating to the illegal or questionable access to or the use of communications equipment/software. Development and distribution of programs, how-to-advice and/or tips that may result in the compromise of networks and systems. Also includes sites that facilitate the bypass of licensing and digital rights systems. |
| malware | Sites containing malicious content, executables, scripts, viruses, trojans, and code. |
| mature.games |
Sites |
| nudity |
Sites that contain nude or seminude depictions of the human body, regardless of context or intent, such as artwork. Includes nudist or naturist sites containing images of participants. |
| parked | URLs which host limited content or click-through ads which may generate revenue for the host entity but generally do not contain content that is useful to the end user. |
| phishing | Seemingly reputable sites that harvest personal information from its users via phishing or pharming. |
| proxy-avoidance-and-anonymizers | Proxy servers and other methods that bypass URL filtering or monitoring. |
| questionable | Sites containing tasteless humor, offensive content targeting specific demographics of individuals or groups of people, criminal activity, illegal activity, and get rich quick sites. |
| sex-education | Information on reproduction, sexual development, safe sex practices, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control, tips for better sex, as well as any related products or related paraphernalia. Includes websites for related groups, forums or organizations. |
| swimsuits-and-intimate-apparel | Sites that include information or images concerning swimsuits, intimate apparel or other suggestive clothing. |
| weapons | Sales, reviews, descriptions of or instructions regarding weapons and their use. |