Internet Safety

A safe place to learn, grow, and have fun — Keeping Youth Safe Online is Part of Our Commitment to Child Safety

Appropriate use of Technology

BGCA has developed policies to ensure the safe and appropriate use of technology in Clubhouses, including computers, mobile technology, and social media. Resources, trainings, and activities are tailored for various audiences and age ranges, including kids, tweens, teens, and adult staff members. Additionally, BGCA provides Clubs with digital use policy templates to help Clubs create their own local policies.
Internet Safety

Internet Safety

HBGC complies with CIPA (Children's Internet Protection Act). Our system provides web content filtering and application control, as well as security measures for data privacy.

CIPA Compliance relates to the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), a federal law enacted by Congress to address concerns about access to offensive content over the Internet on school and library computers.

CIPA imposes certain types of requirements on any school or library that receives funding for Internet access or internal connections from the E-Rate program, a program that makes certain communications technology more affordable for eligible schools and libraries. In early 2001, the FCC issued rules for CIPA compliance. More recently, Congress enacted additional protections for children using the Internet.
CIPA Certification

Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Compliance
Keeping Youth Safe Online is Part of Our Commitment to Child Safety
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke follows the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to help ensure that every young person who uses our technology and internet access stays safe online. CIPA is a federal law designed to protect minors from exposure to harmful online content and unsafe digital environments.

As part of our compliance with CIPA, our Club implements the following safeguards:

Technology Protection Measures

We use internet filtering and blocking tools on all Club-owned computers and devices that youth may access.
These filters are required by CIPA to block or restrict access to content that is:

Obscene
Child pornography
Harmful to minors

Filters stay active whenever youth use the Club's internet or computers.

Internet Safety Policies

CIPA requires organizations to maintain and enforce a written Internet Safety Policy.
Our policy addresses:

Access to inappropriate content
Online safety & privacy for minors
Safe use of email, chat, and direct messaging
Prevention of unauthorized access or “hacking.”
Restrictions on sharing personal information

The policy is updated regularly to reflect best practices and changing digital risks.

Digital Citizenship & Safety Education

Following CIPA and the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act, we provide youth with education on:

Safe and appropriate online behavior
Cyberbullying awareness and prevention
Responsible use of social media and technology

This empowers members to make safe choices both inside and outside the Club.

Technology Protection Measures

We use internet filtering and blocking tools on all Club-owned computers and devices that youth may access.
These filters are required by CIPA to block or restrict access to content that is:

Safe and appropriate online behavior
Cyberbullying awareness and prevention
Responsible use of social media and technology

Filters stay active whenever youth use the Club's internet or computers.

Monitoring & Supervision

Staff monitors online activities while youth use Club technology, as required for schools and organizations that follow CIPA standards.
We make sure every young person is supervised, supported, and protected.

Why CIPA Matters

CIPA helps ensure youth have a safe, positive, and developmentally supportive online experience. By implementing these protections, we reinforce our mission:
Every child deserves a safe place—offline and online.