LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
WEB-BASED EDUCATION COMMISSION
RELEASES FINDINGS
U.S. Chamber Makes Internet Privacy Priority Issue
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This Legislative Update reviews the findings and recommendations of the Web-based Education Commission that was established to examine the use and potential of the Internet as an educational tool. In addition, we outline the new focus of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Internet privacy.
The Internet in Schools
Just before the holidays, the Web-based Education Commission concluded its work and issued a final report summarizing its findings. The panel found that the Internet holds great educational promise and cautioned that great care should be used in limiting its use. Its report provides new ammunition to help Kids in the Know fight harmful student-privacy proposals that will soon be reintroduced in Congress.
The Commission, chaired by Senator Bob Kerrey (D-NE) and Rep. John Isakson (R-GA), was created by Congress to develop specific policy recommendations geared toward maximizing the educational promise of the Internet for pre-school through college students. (Sen. Kerrey has since retired from the Senate to serve as President of the New School University in New York City.)
Since November 1999, the Commission has held numerous public hearings and has received testimony from hundreds of organizations and individuals concerned about the use of technology in schools. Kids in the Know members, the Association of Education Publishers (AEP) and Who’s Who Among American High School Students, were among those who submitted testimony.
The Commission determined that the Internet is a powerful educational tool and, therefore, urged President-elect George W. Bush and Congress to "embrace e-learning as a centerpiece of our national education agenda." Among the policy recommendations was a general statement on Internet privacy in which the Commission urges "parents, the education community, and the private sector to develop and adopt privacy and protection safeguards to assure that learners of all ages are not exploited while participating in online learning activities."
The Commission assessed a variety of Internet privacy protection approaches, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), Internet filtering software, and school acceptable use policies.
Former Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, the President of the Association of American Publishers, outlined the privacy findings at the report release press conference. She reviewed the range of significant concerns regarding the effectiveness and impact that COPPA may have on children and schools. She noted that the Act does not cover teens, who are widely seen as a vulnerable group for online victimization. And she stressed that the "opt-out" requirements may prevent children from access to valuable online information and material.
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