Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act

Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) recently introduced the “Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act”. Many believe the latest Senate Bill 49 “S. 49” is a repackaged version of the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) that was brought before Congress on May, 2006. However , if enacted, the bill would amend the Communications Act of 1934, requiring schools and libraries that receive eRate funding to protect minors from online predators in the absence of parental supervision when using "Commercial Social Networking Websites" and "Chat Rooms". The bill would also prohibit schools and libraries from providing access to these types of websites to minors.

If passed, S. 49 would direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to carry out a nationwide public-awareness campaign of strategies to promote safe use of the internet by children. The agency would serve as a clearinghouse for Web-safety information that could be accessed by state and local governments, schools, and other appropriate entities.

In addition, the Commerce Department would be required to establish an Online Safety and Technology Working Group that would bring together representatives from the technology industry, public-interest groups, and other appropriate agencies to:

1. Review and evaluate industry efforts to promote parental-control technologies, including blocking and filtering technologies and age-appropriate labeling
2. Report evidence of apparent child pornography
3. Detail industry practices regarding the retention of data that may be used to identify and prosecute crimes against children
4. Support the development of new technologies that will help parents shield their children from inappropriate online material.

For additional information on how your school or library can maintain its eRate funding and comply with pending legislation, please contact a Pearl Software Government Sales Adivsor.