CIPA Shield 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.

CIPA Shield 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.

To further protect youth online, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke uses multiple layers of digital safety, including Ubiquiti and pfSense firewalls with content filtering, Trend Micro antivirus with web protection, and Intune‑managed kiosk‑mode computers—ensuring every child accesses the internet in a safe, secure, and monitored environment.

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:

Network Security and Firewall Protection 

  • Ubiquiti network equipment for managed routing, wireless access control, and secure network segmentation
  • pfSense firewall for advanced firewall rules, intrusion prevention, and internet traffic control. These systems help prevent unauthorized access, reduce cybersecurity threats, and ensure youth access is monitored and restricted appropriately.

Internet Filtering and Content Blocking

  • The Club uses internet filtering and blocking tools on all Club-owned computers and devices that youth may access. Content filtering is enforced through the firewall and network security systems and is configured to block or restrict access to content that is prohibited under CIPA
  • Filters remain active whenever youth are using Club computers, devices, or internet access, including Wi-Fi networks provided by the Club.

Endpoint Protection and Antivirus

All Club-owned computers are protected with cybersecurity software, including:

  • Trend Micro Antivirus &Trend Micro Web Protection

This software provides real-time malware protection, website threat detection, and prevention against phishing links, spyware, ransomware, and other harmful online threats. 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.

CIPA Shield 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.

   Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke — Keeping Youth Safe Online is Part of Our Commitment to Child Safety