8.7 Information Technology Pornography Prohibited on College Networks and Devices
Policy Tracking | Date |
|---|---|
Approved | July 14, 2025 |
Revised | April 7, 2025 |
Reviewed |
I. DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply in this policy:
A. Device. – Any cellular phone, desktop or laptop computer, or other electronic equipment capable of connecting to a network.
B. Material. – Any pictures, drawings, video recordings, films or other visual or physical depictions or representations, including digital or computer‑generated visual depictions or representations created, adapted, or modified by technological means, such as algorithms or artificial intelligence, but not material consisting entirely of written words, and as otherwise defined in G.S. 14‑190.13.
C. Network. – Any of the following, whether through owning, leasing, maintaining, or otherwise controlling:
The interconnection of communication systems with a computer through remote or local terminals, or a complex consisting of two or more interconnected computers or telephone switching equipment.
Internet service.
Internet access.
D. Pornography. – Any material depicting sexual activity.
E. Sexual activity. – Any form of sexual intercourse, sexual touching, display of genitalia, and those other acts set forth in N.C.G.S. §14-190.13
II. PROHIBITION ON VIEWING PORNOGRAPHY
No employee or student of the college is permitted to view, download, or save pornography on the College’s network or on a device owned, leased, maintained, or otherwise controlled by the College.
III. EXCEPTIONS
Section II shall not apply to an official or employee that is engaged in any of the following activities in the course of that official's or employee's official duties:
A. Investigating or prosecuting crimes, offering or participating in law enforcement training, or performing actions related to other law enforcement purposes.
B. Identifying potential security or cybersecurity threats.
C. Protecting human life.
D. Establishing, testing, and maintaining firewalls, protocols, and otherwise implementing this section.
E. Participating in judicial or quasi‑judicial proceedings.
F. Researching issues related to the drafting or analysis of the laws of this State as necessary to fulfill the requirements of the employee's official duties.
IV. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Annually, no later than August 1, the college shall report information to the State Chief Information Officer on:
A. The number of incidences of unauthorized viewing or attempted viewing of pornography on the College’s network;
B. Whether or not the unauthorized viewing was by an employee or student of the College; and
C. Whether or not any of the unauthorized viewing was on a device owned, leased, maintained, or otherwise controlled by the College.
Adopted:
Legal Reference: N.C.G.S. § 143-805