Acceptable Use Policy

The Internet can be a powerful tool for use in an educational setting. It provides teachers and students with access to a variety of resources, helpful for the teaching and learning process. But on the other side of the coin, the Internet has its dangers apart from its benefits. Hence, schools and educators must find the right means for making a safe use of the Internet as an educational tool. The best means for this to be achieved is through the development of Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs). An AUP is a written contract between administrators, teachers, parents and students that outlines the terms and conditions for making use of the Internet, by setting out rules of online behaviour, access privileges, consequences and penalties in case those rules are violated. Therefore, it is the school's responsibility to conduct its own AUP, provide it to students, parents and students, to sign and return a copy to be placed in the school's files. No Internet access and use should be allowed in schools without the existence of an AUP and therefore, without the permission of parents as well.