Public schools in both Maryland counties have similar rules, limits and penalties; DC rules don’t yet address the topic. If you use school facilities to go on-line, be careful because rules use vague language in limiting student in-school Internet use to “educational purposes” and use can be monitored to see that you don’t access anything “harmful.” [1] The rules in both Prince George’s County and Montgomery include punishment for improper use, beginning with minor discipline (calling parents or suspending privileges) all the way to suspension or recommending criminal prosecution. [2]

[1] 5 DCMR § 2401.18 (describing student free speech rights without reference to Internet or computer use); Prince George’s County Public Schools Code of Student Conduct, Administrative Procedure 10101 § XI(A) (“all use of technology under these guidelines is to be for legitimate educational purposes under the guidance or direction of school system staff”) and Administrative Procedure 0700, Information Technology Services Acceptable Use Guidelines § V(R) (requiring students to use school computers “only [to] access information they are authorized to use, and need for assignments and/or other school related activities”); Montgomery County Public Schools Policy IGT-RA, User Responsibilities for Computer Systems and Network Security, § IV(E)(limiting student use of school computers to authorized purposes; and among other rules, prohibiting access to unauthorized e-mail, instant messaging and chat rooms; and prohibiting sharing files of copyrighted material).

[2] On punishments for computer misuse, see Prince George’s County Public Schools Code of Student Conduct, Administrative Procedure 10101 § XI(A) (suspension of equipment access, confiscation of the technological device, disciplinary action commensurate with the level of misconduct, and/or legal action as appropriate); Montgomery County Public Schools Policy IGT-RA, User Responsibilities for Computer Systems and Network Security, § IV(F) (a telephone call to parents or guardians, loss of privileges, restitution, suspension, and/or expulsion, and/or criminal prosecution).