United States Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science & Transportation
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Press Releases
For Immediate Release
09/27/07
Contact: Joe Brenckle - Republican Press Office 202-224-3991
Brian Eaton w/Stevens 202-224-0445
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Committee Passes Stevens Legislation to Protect Children Online
Internet Safety Report Calls Bill “Sensible, Education-Based Approach”
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved legislation sponsored by Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) to bring parents, industry, law enforcement, and educators together to address comprehensive online protections. The bill, Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act (S.1965), is also cosponsored by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), John D. Rockefeller (D-W.Va), Kit Bond (R-Mo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), David Vitter (R-La.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Thad Cochran (D-Miss.).  The measure now awaits consideration by the full Senate.
 
“The Internet is a valuable resource for children and this bill improves safety and addresses parental control without infringing on the First Amendment,” said Senator Stevens.  “It also ensures critical education for our children without the federal government from Washington, D.C. dictating the exact terms. Local school boards and communities are in the best position to determine what fits their needs. This multi-layered approach to safety, both on and offline, will help keep America’s children safe, and allow them to learn and grow in an ever changing world.”   
 
These measures are important because education must serve as the cornerstone of any serious effort to deal with the issue of protecting children from either objectionable content or online cyber-dangers,” states the Progress and Freedom Foundation in a report released today.  
 
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, one in seven children online (10 to 17-years-old) have received a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet.
 
The legislation:
  • requires schools receiving E-Rate funds to offer age appropriate education regarding online behavior, including social networking, chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response;
 
  • creates an interagency working group to identify and encourage technologies and initiatives to help parents protect their children from unwanted content;
 
  • requires a public awareness campaign (and authorizes $5 million for fiscal year 2008 and 2009); and
 
  • enhances child pornography enforcement.
 
The Progress and Freedom Foundation’s full report on S. 1965 and online child safety can be found at:
 
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September 2007 Press Releases  « August | October »   « 2006 | 2008 » 
 
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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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