For schools and libraries in the U.S., there’s one regulation that defines how to protect minors on the internet: CIPA, or the Children’s Internet Protection Act.
If your school or library uses federal E-Rate funding for internet access or internal tech, complying with CIPA isn’t optional. It’s a must. But what does CIPA actually require, and how do schools ensure they’re meeting those requirements?
Let’s break it down. No legal jargon, no complex tech speak—just the essentials you need to know about CIPA compliance.
What is CIPA compliance?
Definition and purpose of CIPA
CIPA stands for Children’s Internet Protection Act. It’s a federal law passed in the U.S. in 2000. The goal is simple: to shield minors from harmful or inappropriate online content when they access the internet through schools and libraries.
Historical context: Why was CIPA introduced?
CIPA came into play at a time when the internet was becoming more accessible in public spaces, especially schools and libraries. With access came concerns. Kids could stumble onto explicit material, fall prey to online predators, or share personal data without realizing the risks.
To reduce these dangers and make sure taxpayer money wasn’t indirectly supporting unsafe internet use, Congress tied CIPA compliance requirements to E-Rate funding. If schools or libraries want discounts on internet services, they need to play by the CIPA rules.
Why CIPA compliance matters?
At its core, CIPA is about keeping kids safe online. But there’s more to it than that.
For schools and libraries, CIPA compliance is tied to funding. The E-Rate program, managed by the FCC, offers big discounts on tech and internet access. But without CIPA compliance, those funds can be withheld or even taken back.
Plus, failure to comply can lead to public backlash, legal trouble, and reputational damage.
CIPA compliance requirements
CIPA isn’t as complex as it sounds, but it does come with clear-cut requirements.
1. Internet safety policies
Every school or library must have an internet safety policy that includes measures to:
- Block access to visual depictions that are obscene or harmful to minors
- Protect against access to content involving child exploitation
- Filter material that’s inappropriate for minors
These policies must be public, and the institution needs to hold at least one public meeting or hearing to allow community input.
2. Internet filtering and monitoring
Probably the most well-known part of CIPA: internet filters. Schools and libraries need tech solutions in place that can block access to harmful websites on any device used by minors.
The filters don’t have to be perfect. But they must be in place and actively working to block certain types of content.
Also, institutions must monitor the online activity of minors. This can include viewing browsing logs or using software that flags inappropriate use in real time.
3. Education on online safety
CIPA also includes an educational component. Schools, specifically, must teach students about:
- Appropriate online behavior
- Cyberbullying awareness and response
- Safe communication on social media
This isn’t just a one-time thing—it should be part of the regular curriculum.
Who enforces CIPA compliance?
CIPA isn’t enforced by a single agency standing over schools with a checklist. Instead, it’s tied directly to E-Rate funding, which is managed by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the oversight of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Here’s how it works:
- Schools and libraries apply for E-Rate discounts through USAC.
- As part of that process, they self-certify their compliance with CIPA.
- If selected for an audit, they must prove their compliance, showing policies, filter logs, or educational materials.
Audits aren’t constant, but they can happen, especially if there are complaints, inconsistencies, or gaps in paperwork. When a review is triggered, missing or poorly maintained evidence can lead to serious financial and reputational damage.
Penalties for non-compliance
Ignoring CIPA is not only risky—it’s costly.
1. Loss of E-Rate funding
The biggest consequence of non-compliance is losing access to E-Rate discounts. For many schools and libraries, this funding is essential to keep their tech infrastructure running.
If an audit reveals gaps in compliance, you could be asked to repay funds already received.
2. Legal ramifications
While CIPA itself doesn’t impose fines, not following it can lead to legal challenges. Especially if a student ends up harmed online, and it’s shown that the school didn’t take reasonable precautions.
3. Damaged public trust
Compliance is also about public trust. Parents, community leaders, and school boards want assurance that kids are safe. A CIPA violation—even if accidental—can create credibility issues and stir up controversy.
How technology solutions can help with CIPA compliance
1. Web content filtering
This is non-negotiable under CIPA. Schools and libraries must block access to websites that are obscene, harmful to minors, or promote child exploitation.
Endpoint security tools allow admins to filter web content by category, such as adult sites, gambling, violence, or social media, and block specific URLs or keywords. Solutions like Scalefusion Veltar make it easier by enabling centralized management for multiple devices.
2. Browser restrictions
Not every browser supports filtering and monitoring equally. Some schools opt to limit which browsers can be used on student or public-use devices, following guidelines from a CIPA compliance checklist.
This helps IT teams enforce consistent policies and block workarounds. IT admins can even disable incognito mode or prevent the installation of unapproved browsers, ensuring better visibility over what students access online.
3. Website whitelisting & restrictions
Instead of relying solely on category-based filters, IT admins can build custom allow/block lists. This gives schools the power to create a focused online environment, only allowing access to educational or institution-approved resources while blocking everything else.
4. User activity monitoring
It’s not enough to block sites. CIPA also expects institutions to monitor online activity. Many tools now offer real-time activity logs, alerts for policy violations, and automated reporting features.
Solutions like Veltar, for instance, allow IT teams to track usage across devices, flag risky behavior, and take quick action before a violation escalates.
5. Safe search enforcement
Many security platforms also let admins force Safe Search mode on search engines like Google or Bing. This limits exposure to explicit content even if a student searches for it directly.
Safe Search can usually be enabled at the DNS or browser level, helping reinforce content filtering without slowing down the browsing experience.
6. Application control
Students can also be exposed to unsafe or distracting content via apps, not just websites. Tools with application control let schools allow only approved apps and block games, messaging platforms, or unauthorized communication tools.
Scalefusion UEM offers granular app-level policies tailored by device type or user group.
7. Role-based access & permissions
To ensure students don’t bypass restrictions, the platform must support role-based controls. IT admins should be able to define who has access to what based on roles, like student, staff, or guest, while locking down device settings from being tampered with.
8. Network traffic management (VPN or Tunneling)
Some solutions go a step further by offering secure VPN tunnels to route traffic through internal filtering systems. This keeps even remote or hybrid learning devices within compliance boundaries.
For example, solutions like Veltar offer tunneling capabilities that help apply the same rules across locations, whether devices are on campus or used at home.
9. I/O Device Access Control
Though not directly listed in CIPA, controlling physical ports (like USB access) can prevent data transfer or exposure to unsafe external content. Tools that offer I/O control allow schools to block unauthorized device connections, protecting both student data and institutional security.
10. Compliance reports
Instead of manually checking whether each device meets CIPA rules, schools can opt for solutions that automatically audit configurations, highlight deviations, and generate compliance reports—on demand or at regular intervals—based on a built-in CIPA compliance checklist.
This not only supports CIPA but also helps prepare for other audits like FERPA or state-level requirements.
Final thoughts: No room for debate, CIPA is a core requirement
CIPA compliance is a foundational part of keeping digital spaces safe for students.
While the legal requirements are clear, meeting them daily can be challenging without the right solutions. Schools need help filtering content, streamlining monitoring, and gaining the visibility needed to maintain CIPA compliance.
Platforms like Scalefusion UEM and endpoint security solutions like Veltar can make compliance more practical, less manual, and far more reliable.
At the end of the day, it’s about creating a safer digital learning environment.
