NY May Bar Sex Offenders from Social Sites

New York is considering first-of-its-kind legislation that would bar registered sex offenders from social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook.

New York City prosecutors have added their support to a proposed law that would bar registered sex offenders from accessing social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, and Bebo.

The Electronic Security and Targeting of Online Predators Act (e-STOP) was introduced to the New York Assembly and Senate last week, and to the degree it would bar sex offenders from contacting minors via social networking sites, it is the first proposed law of its kind in the nation. Under the proposed statute, registered sex offenders would be barred from accessing social networking sites and impose other limits on their Internet usage. For instance, sex offenders would be required to register all their instant messaging screen names and any other identifiers they use online; that information would then be shared with social networking sites so they can pre-screen and block access.

“Existing laws protecting children from sexual predators have not kept pace with rapid advances in technology,” said NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in a statement. “Government’s primary responsibility is to protect its citizens, and e-STOP will be effective at helping prevent sexual predators from using the Internet to victimize our children.”

Last month, MySpace inked a deal with 49 states’ attorneys general (including Cuomo) that outlines a broad set of policies aimed at protecting users of social networking services, including a registry that enables parents to prevent their children from signing up. Facebook also reached an agreement with the New York Attorney General that, among other things, promises a 24-hour response to complaints about inappropriate content or behavior.