Privacy Law Library

Children's Internet Protection Act

CIPA

Children · Students

CIPA conditions E-rate and certain library funding on adopting an internet safety policy with technology protection measures that block obscene images, child sexual abuse material, and content harmful to minors. School policies must also address minors' online safety and the unauthorized disclosure of minors' personal information, and schools must educate students about appropriate online behavior.

Where
Federal
Citation
47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5)-(6), (l); 20 U.S.C. 9134(f); 47 CFR 54.520
Status
In force
In force since
2001-04-20
Last amended
2015-12-10
Enforced by
Federal Communications Commission (E-rate); Institute of Museum and Library Services (LSTA funds)
People can sue
No
Penalties
Loss of E-rate discounts or federal library funding for failure to certify or comply; no fines.
Applies to
  • K-12 schools and public libraries that receive E-rate discounts or certain federal library technology funds (public and private schools)

What a privacy notice must say

  • Hold at least one public hearing or meeting with reasonable public notice on the proposed internet safety policy.47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5)(A)(iii), (l)(1)(B)

Practices it requires

  • Adopt an internet safety policy that addresses unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of minors' personal information, among other topics.47 U.S.C. 254(l)(1)(A)(iv)
  • Schools must educate minors about appropriate online behavior, including on social networking sites and cyberbullying.47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5)(B)(iii)

Security duties

  • Operate a technology protection measure that blocks or filters access to obscene visual depictions, child pornography, and (for minors) material harmful to minors.47 U.S.C. 254(h)(5)(B), (h)(6)(B)

Registration

  • Certify CIPA compliance to the FCC/USAC as a condition of E-rate discounts.47 CFR 54.520

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.

Unverified: effective_date (Apr. 20, 2001) is from general knowledge of CIPA section 1721(h), not a fetched source | 20 U.S.C. 9134(f) library provision was fetched but not read | Public hearing citation (254(l)(1)(B)) not re-read | last_amended reflects Pub. L. 114-95's change to 254(h)(5)(A)(iii); a 2026 amendment (Pub. L. 119-89) added 254(m), which is unrelated to CIPA

Research reference, not legal advice.