|
|
||||
| Public Act 095-0509 |
||||
| ||||
| ||||
AN ACT concerning education.
| ||||
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
| ||||
represented in the General Assembly:
| ||||
Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section | ||||
27-13.3 as follows: | ||||
(105 ILCS 5/27-13.3 new)
| ||||
Sec. 27-13.3. Internet safety education curriculum.
| ||||
(a) The purpose of this Section is to inform and protect | ||||
students from inappropriate or illegal communications and | ||||
solicitation and to encourage school districts to provide | ||||
education about Internet threats and risks, including without | ||||
limitation child predators, fraud, and other dangers. | ||||
(b) The General Assembly finds and declares the following: | ||||
(1) it is the policy of this State to protect consumers | ||||
and Illinois residents from deceptive and unsafe | ||||
communications that result in harassment, exploitation, or | ||||
physical harm; | ||||
(2) children have easy access to the Internet at home, | ||||
school, and public places; | ||||
(3) the Internet is used by sexual predators and other | ||||
criminals to make initial contact with children and other | ||||
vulnerable residents in Illinois; and | ||||
(4) education is an effective method for preventing | ||||
children from falling prey to online predators, identity | ||
theft, and other dangers. | ||
(c) Each school may adopt an age-appropriate curriculum for | ||
Internet safety instruction of students in grades kindergarten | ||
through 12. It is hereby recommended that the curriculum | ||
provide for a minimum of 2 hours of Internet safety education | ||
each school year that includes instruction on each of the | ||
following topics: | ||
(1) Safe and responsible use of social networking | ||
websites, chat rooms, electronic mail, bulletin boards, | ||
instant messaging, and other means of communication on the | ||
Internet. | ||
(2) Recognizing, avoiding, and reporting online | ||
solicitations of students, their classmates, and their | ||
friends by sexual predators. | ||
(3) Risks of transmitting personal information on the | ||
Internet. | ||
(4) Recognizing and avoiding unsolicited or deceptive | ||
communications received online. | ||
(5) Recognizing and reporting online harassment and | ||
cyber-bullying. | ||
(6) Reporting illegal activities and communications on | ||
the Internet. | ||
(7) Copyright laws on written materials, photographs, | ||
music, and video. | ||
(d) Curricula devised in accordance with subsection (c) of | ||
this Section may be submitted for review to the Office of the | ||
Illinois Attorney General.
| ||
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon | ||
becoming law.
| ||