Senator wants restrictions on social networking sites
Senator wants restrictions on social networking sites
By Sonji Jacobs | Friday, January 26, 2007, 01:53 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Georgia senator worried about the safety of young teenagers who log on to Internet social networking sites such as MySpace.com and FaceBook.com has proposed a bill that would force such companies to tighten up their access to minors.
The measure would make it illegal for the owner or operator of a social networking Web site to allow minors to create or maintain a Web page without parental permission. Senate Bill 59 also would force MySpace.com and FaceBook.com to allow parents or guardians to have access to their children’s Web pages at all times.
Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Macon), the bill’s sponsor, said that while he believes parents should be actively involved and aware of their children’s activities, the social networking companies also should be held accountable for the safety of minors.
“I would reject the argument that these companies have no responsibility to address this problem,” Staton said. “I think when it comes to minor children, for someone to suggest a parent doesn’t have a right to be involved when these dangers are there — I would simply reject that.”
Staton cited statistics on dozens of teens who have been molested — or murdered, in some instances — by people they met through MySpace.com, according to law enforcement officials.
If owners or operators of a company failed to comply with the proposed law, they would be guilty of a misdemeanor on the first offense. A second offense would be a felony and could lead to imprisonment for between one and five years and a fine up to $50,000 or both.
Staton said the bill does not tell the companies exactly how to ensure that minors don’t log on without parental permission. The companies can figure that out on their own, he said.
“They can find a way to do this,” Staton said. “That’s my challenge to them.”
Earlier this month, MySpace.com announced a plan to offer free parental notification software, according to the Wall Street Journal. That software would enable parents who use it to know the name, age and location their kids are using on the Web site. But it does not allow parents to read their children’s e-mail or see their profile pages — falling short of what Staton’s bill would require.
House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) said his children use MySpace.com. But he said he and his wife have blocks on some Web sites and keep an eye on what their children see on their computers.
“The development of computer technology, Web sites, MySpace, is part of the evolution of this electronics age,” Richardson said. “Mommies and daddies ought to be regulating what their children see. I don’t know how the government can regulate the Internet.”
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle said he applauded Staton’s intentions but thought enforcement of the bill would be difficult. However, he said he would not interfere in allowing the measure to go through the Legislative process.
Staton, the chair of the Science and Technology Committee, is expected to hold hearings on the bill, perhaps as early as next Wednesday.
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By Sonji Jacobs | Friday, January 26, 2007, 01:53 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Georgia senator worried about the safety of young teenagers who log on to Internet social networking sites such as MySpace.com and FaceBook.com has proposed a bill that would force such companies to tighten up their access to minors.
The measure would make it illegal for the owner or operator of a social networking Web site to allow minors to create or maintain a Web page without parental permission. Senate Bill 59 also would force MySpace.com and FaceBook.com to allow parents or guardians to have access to their children’s Web pages at all times.
Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Macon), the bill’s sponsor, said that while he believes parents should be actively involved and aware of their children’s activities, the social networking companies also should be held accountable for the safety of minors.
“I would reject the argument that these companies have no responsibility to address this problem,” Staton said. “I think when it comes to minor children, for someone to suggest a parent doesn’t have a right to be involved when these dangers are there — I would simply reject that.”
Staton cited statistics on dozens of teens who have been molested — or murdered, in some instances — by people they met through MySpace.com, according to law enforcement officials.
If owners or operators of a company failed to comply with the proposed law, they would be guilty of a misdemeanor on the first offense. A second offense would be a felony and could lead to imprisonment for between one and five years and a fine up to $50,000 or both.
Staton said the bill does not tell the companies exactly how to ensure that minors don’t log on without parental permission. The companies can figure that out on their own, he said.
“They can find a way to do this,” Staton said. “That’s my challenge to them.”
Earlier this month, MySpace.com announced a plan to offer free parental notification software, according to the Wall Street Journal. That software would enable parents who use it to know the name, age and location their kids are using on the Web site. But it does not allow parents to read their children’s e-mail or see their profile pages — falling short of what Staton’s bill would require.
House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) said his children use MySpace.com. But he said he and his wife have blocks on some Web sites and keep an eye on what their children see on their computers.
“The development of computer technology, Web sites, MySpace, is part of the evolution of this electronics age,” Richardson said. “Mommies and daddies ought to be regulating what their children see. I don’t know how the government can regulate the Internet.”
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle said he applauded Staton’s intentions but thought enforcement of the bill would be difficult. However, he said he would not interfere in allowing the measure to go through the Legislative process.
Staton, the chair of the Science and Technology Committee, is expected to hold hearings on the bill, perhaps as early as next Wednesday.
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