When WiredTrust, Inc.(wiredtrust.com) advises large
multi-national companies it does so based on the responses to numerous
questionnaires. As a strategic partner
of StopCyberbullying Canada, WiredTrust has contributed this questionnaire to
help schools review their own internal practices on digital practices and safety
policies. Feel free ot use it and improve it.
General Policies:
- Does your school have a policy about cell phone possession and use in school?
a) Does
the policy differ for smartphones v. feature phones?
- Does your school have a policy about mobile gaming device possession and use in school?
a) Does
the policy differ based on whether the gaming device can connect to the
Internet?
- Does your school have a policy about media device possession and use in school?
- Does your school have a policy regarding the usage of school owned computers?
If so,
a)
Do you
use any content filtering, live chat filtering or other content management
technologies?
b) Do
you track how students use the computers with tracking software or other logs?
- Does your school have a program where students are provided with laptops or iPads?
a) If
so, is there a policy regarding tracking the device and the built-in webcam?
- Does your school have a policy on the use of social networking sites?
a) Does
the school maintain an official presence on any social networking site?
b) Does
the school permit teachers, staff, and administrators to “friend” students on
Facebook or other social networks?
c) If
a teacher encounters a student under 13 on Facebook are they instructed to
report the student as being under age?
- Does your school secure student data and restrict its access?
- Does your school have a Code of Conduct or equivalent document outlining rules for students?
- Does your school encourage or permit students to help each other through formal or informal programs?
Bullying and Cyberbullying:
- Do you have a policy regarding bullying and cyberbullying, cyberstalking and harassment?
a) If
so, can students submit anonymous reports?
b) Does
the policy provide for disclosure to parents?
- Do you train teachers and staff to handle incidents of bullying and cyberbullying?
a) Are
teachers trained on how to escalate incidents or are their written policy guides?
b) Do
you have dedicated guidance counselors or other staff tasked with managing
cases of cyberbullying?
- Do you provide students with a guide to acceptable behavior during school sponsored events and out-of-school?
a) If
so, does the guide inform students that depending on the jurisdiction some
after-hours and out-of-school behaviors can be subject to in-school discipline?
- Do you have a written guide or policy on what types of abuse should be reported and where?
- How do you respond to incidences of cyberstalking and harassment that are reported to you or that you are aware of?
- Do you have guidelines (written or otherwise) for handling adult sexual exploitation reports by staff?
- Do you have guidelines (written or otherwise) for handling child sexual exploitation reports by students?
- Do you have defined policies regarding sexual images, sexual communications, sexual harassment or other sexual-related content or activities?
- How are complaints about sexual harassment, sexting and other cyber-related communications handled when received?
a) Do
you also accept abuse reports through other means, such as phone, email, or
feedback forms?
- Do you have an internal policy articulating the disciplinary actions that should be taken against students that violate your rules?
a) What
disciplinary actions do you take against students that violate your rules?
- Do you make any promises or statements about handling reports within a certain period of time (i.e. within 24 hours)?
Law
Enforcement, Parents and Governmental Agency Reporting:
- Do you have any written internal guidelines or policies relating to communication and cooperation with law enforcement, governmental agencies or parents?
- Do you provide any sort of a written inquiry guide to law enforcement agencies, governmental agencies or parents to assist in investigations involving your school? Do you have a standard guide or do you respond on an ad hoc basis each time an event arises.
- Does the law enforcement inquiry policy provide for the school to provide information to law enforcement upon submission of a subpoena, warrant, court order, or valid legal process?
- Does the law enforcement inquiry policy provide for the school to provide information to law enforcement at the school’s election referencing exigent circumstances or any inquiry that the school believes is in the best interests of the school, its students or public safety? If so, what exact language is being used?
- Do you report illegal, suspicious, or high risk behaviors (such as suicide, cutting, eating disorders, racism, threats, gangs, radical groups, sexual abuse, etc.) to law enforcement, governmental agencies or to parents? If so, which agencies? How are parents informed?
- How is the decision made about what and where to report these matters to law enforcement, , governmental agencies or parents?
Legal Inquiries:
- Have you ever received an inquiry from any governmental authority regarding your school privacy practices, safety or security?
a) If
so:
1. What
agency and what jurisdiction?
2. How
often are inquiries received?
3. How
are inquiries currently handled?
- Have you ever received an inquiry from any advocacy group, non-profit group or watchdog organization regarding your school privacy practices, safety or security?
a) If
so:
1. What
group or organization?
2. How
often are inquiries received?
3. How
are inquiries currently handled?
- Do you have an individual in the school tasked with responding to regulatory agencies or advocacy groups mentioned? (If a specific individual, please provide title or if Legal Dept. please explain.)
