U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) issued the following statement today at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing titled Protecting Children on the Internet.

“Without question, the Internet provides extraordinary benefits to our nation’s children. In our schools, teachers use the Internet and computer technology to enhance instruction and enrich student learning. At home, children can use the Internet to exchange email or share pictures with friends and family, and to get information on virtually any subject imaginable.

“But the power of the Internet is also a source of its peril. The New Yorker once humorously poked fun at the anonymity of the Internet, commenting that ‘On the Internet, nobody knows you’re a dog.’ However, there is nothing funny when that same anonymity can be used to the advantage of online predators and others who would seek to harm children.

“In addition to protecting their children from online predators, parents also struggle with the challenges of shielding their children from the significant amounts of material on the Internet that are unsuitable for children.

“While filtering and monitoring technologies help parents to screen out offensive content and to monitor their child’s online activities, the use of these technologies is far from universal and may not be fool-proof in keeping kids away from adult material.

“In that context, we must evaluate our current efforts to combat child pornography and consider what further measures may be needed to stop the spread of such illegal material over high-speed broadband connections.

“These are all difficult, yet critically important issues that parents and children face in an information age. If we search for a ‘silver bullet’ solution, we will not find it.

“Rather, our efforts must rely on a multi-layered strategy – one that teaches our children about safe and responsible online behavior; one that encourages industry action to develop tools that will aid parents in their efforts to restrict inappropriate material from their children’s access; and one that relies on swift and certain action by law enforcement officials in finding and punishing those who would use the Internet to harm children.

“We have a very distinguished panel of witnesses today to aid our review of this subject. I look forward to their testimony.”

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Senator Hutchison Calls for Improved Bus Safety Standards

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Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for DTV Transition Hearing

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Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade Imbalance Hearing

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Commerce Committee to Examine Consumer Privacy Issues Related to Broadband Service Providers

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Senator Hutchison Commends Dept. of Commerce for Helping Nursing Homes with DTV Converter Box Program

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Inouye Calls for Immediate Passage of S.1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act

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Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Bus Safety Hearing

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Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from Corporation for Public Broadcasting Nominees

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Commerce Committee to Review Progress of DTV Transition with FCC, NTIA

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Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband

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Commerce Committee Releases MARAD Bill Financial Disclosure Certification

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Commerce Committee Cancels Hearing to Examine Marine Protected Areas

10th -

Senator Hutchison Cosponsors Calling Card Legislation to Help Consumers

9th -

Commerce Committee to Hold Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband

8th -

Commerce Committee to Examine Marine Protected Areas

8th -

Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Prepaid Calling Card Hearing

Public Information Office: 508 Dirksen Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
Tel: 202-224-5115
Hearing Room: 253 Russell Senate Office Bldg • Washington, DC 20510-6125
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