To help protect students during their online adventures most schools have instituted an acceptable use policy (AUP) that both parents and students must sign before a student is given an account with Internet access. AUPs help define acceptable behaviors by student users of the network and Internet. The Canadian Libraries Association’s statement (2000) on Internet access emphasizes that we should safeguard the long-standing relationship of trust between [schools] and children, their parents and guardians, in developing Internet use policies and practices which acknowledge the rights and responsibilities of parents and guardians.

Sample Computer Acceptable Use Policy

Through our Internet Service provider the school is able to provide a direct connection to the Internet using a cable modem. This link provides network connectivity among teachers and students access to the Internet, and specific network services.

Mission Statement for Computer Usage in the School
Computers usage in the educational environment seeks to foster learning, intellectual exchange, and create efficient and productive approaches to collaborative activity, and support teaching, curriculum and professional development of students and teachers.

 Students granted accounts must read and understand the terms of this policy.  Violation of any term will result in loss of computer account, even if it is needed for course work.

1. All activity on the school's computer network shall be in support of, and consistent with the mission and goals of the school. School computers are to be used 100% for educational pursuits.

2.  Each user is responsible for all activity that transpires through the use of their user-permit.  This includes confidence of an appropriate password, and properly logging out when the user leaves the computer.  Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES are students and teachers permitted to allow others access to their accounts.

3. It is unacceptable to interfere in any way with the functioning of the Network at PWC and related networks on the Internet.  No user shall ATTEMPT unauthorised access to other user accounts, systems, networks, data resources, or programs.

4. The PWC network shall not be used for unapproved functions or for extensive personal use.  For-profit or commercial activity is not allowed.

5. The PWC network shall not be used for the distribution of any material which is offensive, obscene, pornographic, harassing (this includes chain letters!), sexist, racist, malicious, or slanderous, nor for any activity that may be considered unethical, immoral, or illegal.  This means NO BAD, OR CRUDE LANGUAGE.  Student email is considered to be "Post-card email" and is not private.  Administrators reserve the right to read a student's email. Also note that ANONYMOUS email and CHAINMAIL is NOT PERMITTED.

6. Users of the school network are subject to Federal and Provincial Law.

7. No food or drink in the lab.  Also please respect school property, this means no marking on desks, chairs, table or computers.  Treat computers, keyboards and mice gently.

8. Students are not to access any other computer drives except for the following three: 1. Personal drive (P:\)  2. CDROM (D:\)  3. floppy drives (A:\)  Students are not to attempt access to any other drive including C:\ drive and any network drive.

9. No games, including card games, games on the internet, MUDding, and games on diskettes.