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Laws & Policies Resources Students

According to the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, the number of teens who are ‘almost constantly’ online has roughly doubled since 2014. In today's digital world, educating students about online safety is crucial.

MCPS is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all students and staff and encourages parents and students to collaborate with their schools to report any unsafe incidents.

Together, we can create a safer online environment for everyone.

95%

of teens have access to a smartphone, while 90% have access to a computer

SOURCE: Pew Research Center
Teens, Social Media and Technology 2023

95%

of children ages 13-17 report using a social media platform

SOURCE: Pew Research Center
Teens, Social Media and Technology 2023

50%

of teens say they use the internet ‘almost constantly’

SOURCE: Pew Research Center
Teens, Social Media and Technology 2023

Laws & Policies

Federal Laws

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) requires schools to protect students' privacy, ensuring that personally identifiable information is only shared with authorized individuals and entities, and parents/students have rights to access and amend records.

MCPS uses Form 281-13: Annual Notice for Directory Information and Student Privacy.

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COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) mandates parental consent for collecting data from children under 13, ensures data security, and grants parents access to review and delete their child's information. Learn More »

CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act) requires schools to implement internet safety policies, block harmful content, monitor online activities, and educate students about safe online behavior to protect them from inappropriate material. Learn More »

PPRA (Protection of Pupil Rights Act) protects student privacy by requiring parental consent for certain surveys and data collection in schools. It ensures that parents are informed about and can opt out of specific types of information gathering.

MCPS uses the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment notice.

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State Laws

The Kids Code requires privacy by design and default, and it requires online products and services reasonably likely to be accessed by children and teens under 18 to be age appropriate and designed in kids’ best interests. Learn More »

Maryland anti-bullying laws require schools to establish clear policies, provide training, and investigate reported incidents, with the goal of preventing and addressing bullying and protecting student safety. Learn More »

MCPS Policies

An overview of MCPS technology security including computer systems, related technology, and electronic information. MCPS provides IT resources for its mission, with access levels based on roles and needs. Through systemwide technology protection measures, the online activities of students are monitored by staff while using student accounts. All users are expected to protect information from theft, damage, and unauthorized access. Staff and system measures ensure security and appropriate use. Learn More »

An overview of the rights and responsibilities students have in MCPS and a summary of the laws and regulations that affect students. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review this document with children so that our students understand their rights and responsibilities and the district's expectations for student conduct. Learn More »

An overview of best practices that build upon the foundation set forth in the MCPS Employee Code of Conduct, as well as other MCPS rules and regulations, such as Regulation IGT-RA, User Responsibilities for Computer Systems, Electronic Information, and Network Security, and all applicable federal and state laws, and Board of Education policies. Learn More »

The Student Code of Conduct outlines the discipline procedures and policies and the range of consequences students could face for violating various policies, regulations, and rules. The guide discusses the MCPS philosophy to discipline and defines various disciplinary responses. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review this document with children so that our students understand the district's expectations for student conduct. Learn More »