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The Internet and the growth of electronic commerce are dramatically enhancing access to information. The U.S. supports the broadest possible flow of information and content over the Internet, but also recognizes the concerns of consumers regarding on-line pornography and other material that parents may deem harmful or inappropriate for children. With respect to inappropriate content, the U.S. supports an industry-led, self-regulatory approach reinforced by enhanced consumer awareness and the widespread availability of consumer empowerment technology. An example of such a private sector initiative is "GetNetWise." This is an easily accessible online resource for parents that provides information on Internet safety tips, consumer content filtering products, law enforcement contacts, and guides to quality educational and age-appropriate online content.
Kids.us
On December 4, 2002, President Bush signed into law the
Dot Kids Implementation and Efficiency Act of 2002 that
requires NTIA to oversee the establishment of "kids.us"
as a safe space for kids on the Internet. The President
expressed his strong support for creating a positive Internet
experience for America's children.
The kids.us domain will provide a trusted online forum
for children 13 and under. See www.kids.us.
NeuStar Inc. is operating this space on behalf of NTIA.
To ensure that content on kids.us is "suitable for minors,"
all websites must conform to guidelines that are set forth
at www.kids.us/content_policy/index.html. No interactive
services or hyperlinks that take a user outside of the
kids.us domain are allowed. Neustar will remove content
that violates the guidelines.
Children's Internet Protection Act
Congress passed the Children's Internet Protection Act
(CIPA) in October 2000 as part of the Consolidated Appropriations
Act of 2001 and the Act became law on December 21, 2000.
CIPA requires schools and librabries receiving discounted
telecommunications, Internet access, or internal connections
services under the universal service support mechanism
(the "e-rate" program) to certify and adopt an Internet
safety policy and to employ technological protections
that block or filter obscene, pornographic depictions
or material harmful to minors.
School and library officials must certify that their Internet
safety policy addresses (i) access by minors to inappropriate
matter on the Internet and World Wide Web; (ii) the safety
and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat
rooms and other forms of direct electronic communications;
(iii) unauthorized access, included so-called "hacking",
and other unlawful activities by minors online; (iv) unauthorized
disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification
information regarding minors; and (v) measures designed
to restrict minors' access to harmful materials.
CIPA directs NTIA to evaluate whether currently available
technology-protection measures adequately address the
needs of educational institutions and to make recommendations
to Congress on how to foster the development of measures
that meet such needs. NTIA must also evaluate the development
and effectiveness of local Internet safety policies currently
in operation after community input.
Other Resources
- kids.us
- The Annenberg Public Policy Center
- The Center for Democracy and Technology
- The Children's Partnership
- COPA
Commission
For more information contact:
Sallianne Schagrin, sschagrin@ntia.doc.gov
Office of Policy Analysis and Development
National Telecommunications & Information Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 4725
Washington, D.C. 20230
voice: (202) 482-1880 · fax: (202) 482-6173
E-mail: webopad.ntia.doc.gov
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The
Internet domain that parents and children can trust:
kids.us!
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