Representative Michael Fitzpatrick (R) of Pennsylvania has introduced the “Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006,” (text is still on the way to the GPO) which would bar minors from social networking sites like MySpace, FaceBook, and Friendster, and prohibit libraries from making such access available.
The bill reportedly defines “social networking” in a vague manner which could conceivably bar minors from Web sites with discussion forums (you know, like this Web site) as well as many high-traffic Internet sites.
The bill also mandates the FTC to create an eight-member advisory board and a Web site to inform parents, teachers, and others about the dangers children may face on the Internet. The board would be responsible for issuing alerts regarding potential dangers of Internet child predators and their ability to contact children through social networking sites and chat rooms. The FTC would also maintain a blacklist of sites which have reportedly “been shown” to enable predators to contact children or access their personal information.
“As the father of 6 children, I hear about these websites on a daily basis,” Fitzpatrick said in a statement. “However, the majority of these networking sites lack proper controls to protect their younger users. Also, many parents lack the resources to protect their children from online predators. My legislation seeks to change that.”
The proposed bill is likely to change if it moves through committee and toward a vote in the House; it forms part of a multi-bill initiative dubbed the “Republican Suburban Agenda” which, to date, includes proposed legislation to permit 401k retirement accounts to be started at birth, establish guidelines to prevent schools from hiring pedophiles, and further define management of farmland and open space.
