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Ear to the Ground

Networking Sites, Chat Rooms Face Banishment

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Posted on Jul 28, 2006

In an effort to combat sexual predators’ use of social networking websites, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would effectively make sites like Amazon and MySpace inaccessible at public spaces.

This is well-intentioned but horribly executed. Let’s hope the worse-than-“Do Nothing” Senate can keep this one from becoming law.


CNET:

Web sites like Amazon.com and MySpace.com may soon be inaccessible for many people using public terminals at American schools and libraries, thanks to the U.S. House of Representatives.

By a 410-15 vote on Thursday, politicians approved a bill that would effectively require that “chat rooms” and “social networking sites” be rendered inaccessible to minors, an age group that includes some of the Internet’s most ardent users. Adults can ask for permission to access the sites.

“Social networking sites such as MySpace and chat rooms have allowed sexual predators to sneak into homes and solicit kids,” said Rep. Ted Poe, a Texas Republican and co-founder of the Congressional Victim’s Rights Caucus. “This bill requires schools and libraries to establish (important) protections.”

Even though politicians apparently meant to restrict access to MySpace, the definition of off-limits Web sites is so broad the bill would probably sweep in thousands of commercial Web sites that allow people to post profiles, include personal information and allow “communication among users.” Details will be left up to the Federal Communications Commission.

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By R. A. Earl, July 29, 2006 at 8:38 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

The House of Representatives can pass all the bills it wants to but it cannot control the internet.

The internet DOES NOT BELONG TO THE USA and CANNOT BE CONTROLLED BY THE USA.

Sure, sites physically located in the USA may be censored, monitored and shut down, but there’s a BIG WORLD out there where thousands of other sites are up and running far beyond the control of the USA thought police.

US “authorities” may invade the privacy of Americans on American soil but they cannot yet censor the rest of us. The day they can is the day I throw my computer in the trash.

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By Spinoza750, July 29, 2006 at 9:28 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Congress seems to want to protect us to death.

Can’t we avoid mostly right wing government interference in our lives?

Shouldn’t we as individuals be enforcing ethical behavior?

The most numerous predators are the scam artists that constantly harass us with there silly get rich quick schemes but because this is expected as part of capitalist culture these people get a free ride.

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By John waltzer, July 29, 2006 at 2:32 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Its not necessary that this type of sites are always bad.but it should be only accecible by adults. i also visited online Dating site and it really works. i really make good communicatin with many people.and relly after that my communication skill become so much strong

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By Liz, July 28, 2006 at 9:08 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

I think this is bull becuase mabye some younger girls seek older guys. My mom was 18 when she married my dad at 36! She wanted to go out with an older guy that was more mature and developed. Women mature faster then guys, so they seek older men because they know this.

So a 16 year old seeking an older guy on the net is fine with me as long as it satifies both parties! Also I do not think anything over 13 should be considered a child. They are teens! Duh! so i dont think it should be considered child porn if adults are screwing 13-18 year olds. Some times they want a larger you know what to screw!

Now if it’s involving an 11 year old Its different, but if both parties want it it shouldnt be shunned.

Again it’s the conservatives at it again! trying to also tell us what age groups to make love to!

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