July 11, 2006 4:35 PM PDT

MySpace may face legislative crackdown

By Declan McCullagh
Staff Writer, CNET News.com

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Politicians on Tuesday accused MySpace.com and other social-networking sites of failing to protect minors from sexual predators and other malign influences and said a legislative crackdown may be necessary.

During a hearing before a House of Representatives subcommittee, politicians argued over the merits of compelling schools and libraries to cordon off access to social-networking sites, requiring some form of an Internet ID that would prove a person's age, or doing nothing at the moment.

"MySpace.com has been a center of drug activity, of gang activity, and of Internet predators," said Rep. Mark Kirk, an Illinois Republican. "Isn't it entirely appropriate that the state get involved?"

One bill introduced in May would cordon off access from schools and libraries to commercial Web sites that let users create public "Web pages or profiles" and also offer a discussion board, chat room or e-mail service.

"If we could save one child, then it's worth it--that one child, that innocent child who may fall prey during the school hours because the legislation wasn't enacted," said David Zellis, an assistant district attorney in Bucks County, Penn., who testified at the hearing.

MySpace and other social-networking sites like LiveJournal.com and Facebook have come under increasing pressure from members of Congress hoping to appeal to voters before the November elections. The school and library filtering bill--called the Deleting Online Predators Act, or DOPA--is a centerpiece of a poll-driven Republican effort called the "Suburban Agenda."

DOPA defines a broad category that covers far more than social-networking sites such as Friendster and Google's Orkut.com. It would also sweep in a wide range of interactive Web sites and services that allow "users to create Web pages or profiles," including Blogger.com, AOL and Yahoo's instant-messaging features, and Microsoft's Xbox 360, which permits in-game chat. (CNET Networks, publisher of CNET News.com, might also be covered because of its member profile feature.)

Another idea that surfaced on Tuesday was to slap some form of age verification on social-networking sites.

"Putting restrictions on children's access to this, such as age verification, will all be steps in the right direction," said Greg Abbott, the Texas attorney general, who also testified.

Rep. John Shimkus, an Illinois Republican, suggested that Web sites find "a third-party age verification out there that can do that."

But some Democrats, joined by the American Library Association, said the proposals are flawed.

"If the goal is protecting children and combating child exploitation, why should these requirements apply only to schools receiving e-rate funding--the poorer schools?" said Rep. Ed Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat.

Rep. Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat who represents part of Silicon Valley, also said that DOPA was "really not the prescription to handle this" problem.

For its part, MySpace--now owned by Rupert Murdock's News Corp.--has taken steps this year to assuage concerns among parents and politicians. It has assigned some 100 employees, about one-third of its workforce, to deal with security and customer care, and hired Hemanshu (Hemu) Nigam, a former Justice Department prosecutor, as chief security officer.

But MySpace declined to send a representative to Tuesday's hearing, a slight that House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton called "unfortunate." Barton added that if Internet sites aren't taking adequate precautions, Congress should enact DOPA, "at the very least."

CNET News.com's Anne Broache contributed to this report.

Add a Comment (Log in or register) 46 comments (Showing first 20 comments)
Not The Place For Government
by arrilaser July 11, 2006 6:04 PM PDT
This is not the place for legislated control, just like Net Neutrality.
Congress is voting on something that most of them do not use or
understand. I would like to see our elected officials configure a
wireless router and connect to the internet. Or customize a
myspace page. A minor is supposed to be in the care of a parent.
We have laws in place for child abuse and neglect. Use them. Stop
passing "feel good" laws and enforce the ones we have.
Reply to this comment View all 2 replies
Not The Place For Government
by arrilaser July 11, 2006 6:04 PM PDT
This is not the place for legislated control, just like Net Neutrality.
Congress is voting on something that most of them do not use or
understand. I would like to see our elected officials configure a
wireless router and connect to the internet. Or customize a
myspace page. A minor is supposed to be in the care of a parent.
We have laws in place for child abuse and neglect. Use them. Stop
passing "feel good" laws and enforce the ones we have.
Reply to this comment View all 2 replies
Myspace nothing new
by darrius3365 July 11, 2006 7:19 PM PDT
I don't see Myspace as being more significantly different or dangerous as AOL back when it was in it's prime during the dial-up days. You had the profile, where I was able to post that I was 14 or whatever, tell where I lived, what school I attended, my interests, etc. You had the chatrooms (both official and member created), where I could have connected with local people (and potential predators). I had instant communication via the IM and the Buddy List.

The only differences I see is just that with broadband, people are spending WAY more time on the internet. Additionally, computers are so cheap (on the PC side) that many households can afford to have a computer for the parents and additional computers for the kids to use in their bedrooms.

So, the same principals of the late 90s still apply today on Myspace. Parents need to supervise their kids' activities and the kids need to be able to detect attempted foul-play.
Reply to this comment
Myspace nothing new
by darrius3365 July 11, 2006 7:19 PM PDT
I don't see Myspace as being more significantly different or dangerous as AOL back when it was in it's prime during the dial-up days. You had the profile, where I was able to post that I was 14 or whatever, tell where I lived, what school I attended, my interests, etc. You had the chatrooms (both official and member created), where I could have connected with local people (and potential predators). I had instant communication via the IM and the Buddy List.

The only differences I see is just that with broadband, people are spending WAY more time on the internet. Additionally, computers are so cheap (on the PC side) that many households can afford to have a computer for the parents and additional computers for the kids to use in their bedrooms.

So, the same principals of the late 90s still apply today on Myspace. Parents need to supervise their kids' activities and the kids need to be able to detect attempted foul-play.
Reply to this comment
Give me a break!
by skellener July 11, 2006 8:55 PM PDT
> Politicians on Tuesday accused MySpace.com and other social-
> networking sites of failing to protect minors from sexual
> predators and other malign influences and said a legislative
> crackdown may be necessary.

Last time I checked this was the PARENTS job! Don't want your kids
talking to "predators" online? Monitor what they do! Their YOUR
kids! They're YOUR responsibility! This is NOT something that
needs to be addressed with tax dollars!
Reply to this comment View reply
Give me a break!
by skellener July 11, 2006 8:55 PM PDT
> Politicians on Tuesday accused MySpace.com and other social-
> networking sites of failing to protect minors from sexual
> predators and other malign influences and said a legislative
> crackdown may be necessary.

Last time I checked this was the PARENTS job! Don't want your kids
talking to "predators" online? Monitor what they do! Their YOUR
kids! They're YOUR responsibility! This is NOT something that
needs to be addressed with tax dollars!
Reply to this comment View reply
Another Pandora's Box
by SimpleTruth July 12, 2006 5:15 AM PDT
Ok, fact - like Napster, Pandora's Box is open. It will never close.

The problem is our out political structure, and politicians who are not mentally prepared for technology, and are fighting to keep thier power base as long as they can before the changes start.

The reality is they are fighting a loosing battle. These are "the people", if anyone has noticed values have changed.
Reply to this comment
Another Pandora's Box
by SimpleTruth July 12, 2006 5:15 AM PDT
Ok, fact - like Napster, Pandora's Box is open. It will never close.

The problem is our out political structure, and politicians who are not mentally prepared for technology, and are fighting to keep thier power base as long as they can before the changes start.

The reality is they are fighting a loosing battle. These are "the people", if anyone has noticed values have changed.
Reply to this comment
Parents Responsibility, NOT GOV'T!!!
by myanderson July 12, 2006 7:31 AM PDT
Quite simply said without getting into major discussion points. Myspace, in respect to freedom of speech and other liberties granted to us as U.S. citizens, should not be forced to do anything. The company, in good will, has taken precautions and has a prominent awareness of the issue at hand. Further escalation is the companies perogotive, and they ARE taking initiative to deal with the issue directly. It is the responsibility of the parents to supervise underaged children while they browse the internet. It it the responsibility of the parents to know which sites are visited and the content the sites offer. If the content is not age appropriate, the parent has the responsibility to take whatever necessary precautions to block or censor the childs exposure. In the sad and tragic event of a child falling victim to a predator, the parent is negligable. Do you press charges against a shopping mall if a child left and is abducted while the parent is shopping for business casual for an important meeting at work? It seems like our society is trying to blame others to avoid added responsibility of the parents. Contemporary adults are more self-absorbed than past generations, maybe that is where legislation is needed?
Reply to this comment View reply
Parents Responsibility, NOT GOV'T!!!
by myanderson July 12, 2006 7:31 AM PDT
Quite simply said without getting into major discussion points. Myspace, in respect to freedom of speech and other liberties granted to us as U.S. citizens, should not be forced to do anything. The company, in good will, has taken precautions and has a prominent awareness of the issue at hand. Further escalation is the companies perogotive, and they ARE taking initiative to deal with the issue directly. It is the responsibility of the parents to supervise underaged children while they browse the internet. It it the responsibility of the parents to know which sites are visited and the content the sites offer. If the content is not age appropriate, the parent has the responsibility to take whatever necessary precautions to block or censor the childs exposure. In the sad and tragic event of a child falling victim to a predator, the parent is negligable. Do you press charges against a shopping mall if a child left and is abducted while the parent is shopping for business casual for an important meeting at work? It seems like our society is trying to blame others to avoid added responsibility of the parents. Contemporary adults are more self-absorbed than past generations, maybe that is where legislation is needed?
Reply to this comment View reply
Can you say missed the boat?
by bemenaker July 12, 2006 8:33 AM PDT
What kind of tools do we have for elected officials these days. Why don't we just lock our kids in a padded room and keep them shot up with Thorazine all day?

Uhm, first off, all this is the PARENTS responsibility. What is a parents first and foremost job, to raise your kids so they can deal with and be prepared for the real world.

These retarded politicians come in wanting to sound all good in an election year, and don't know squat about what they are talking about.

And just for once, can we give the kids SOME credit? All these jackasses act like these kids are completely oblivious to the dangers of the world. Most are not. The ones that are, again, their parents have FAILED them.
Reply to this comment
Can you say missed the boat?
by bemenaker July 12, 2006 8:33 AM PDT
What kind of tools do we have for elected officials these days. Why don't we just lock our kids in a padded room and keep them shot up with Thorazine all day?

Uhm, first off, all this is the PARENTS responsibility. What is a parents first and foremost job, to raise your kids so they can deal with and be prepared for the real world.

These retarded politicians come in wanting to sound all good in an election year, and don't know squat about what they are talking about.

And just for once, can we give the kids SOME credit? All these jackasses act like these kids are completely oblivious to the dangers of the world. Most are not. The ones that are, again, their parents have FAILED them.
Reply to this comment
Wrong way to go about it
by aosipov July 12, 2006 12:27 PM PDT
Some of the proposal are completely ridiculous. Reducing this problem to its core the only people who will be able to do anything significant will be the parents. I personally would support a national child id program where a child would lose online privacy to their guardian (as in real life). The government should enforce some controls but it is ultimately up to the parent - freedom of speech is different for everyone, including children. Ultimately resources will be better spent in this way - actually allowing guardians to monitor and intefere if necessary in the online lives of their children. We are currently in a state where children can do anything online if they want - the government SHOULD get involved but should focus on restoring control to the parents not asking for impossible controls on children. Isn't marriage legal under age of 18 in some states with the permission of a guardian? Is it automatically illegal to talk about getting married to a child? Not if the guardians have given permission.

At this point this government is so out of touch with the people it is becoming ridiculous in some of it's efforts. I'd rather take "In God We Trust" over "In Politicians We Trust".
Reply to this comment
Wrong way to go about it
by aosipov July 12, 2006 12:27 PM PDT
Some of the proposal are completely ridiculous. Reducing this problem to its core the only people who will be able to do anything significant will be the parents. I personally would support a national child id program where a child would lose online privacy to their guardian (as in real life). The government should enforce some controls but it is ultimately up to the parent - freedom of speech is different for everyone, including children. Ultimately resources will be better spent in this way - actually allowing guardians to monitor and intefere if necessary in the online lives of their children. We are currently in a state where children can do anything online if they want - the government SHOULD get involved but should focus on restoring control to the parents not asking for impossible controls on children. Isn't marriage legal under age of 18 in some states with the permission of a guardian? Is it automatically illegal to talk about getting married to a child? Not if the guardians have given permission.

At this point this government is so out of touch with the people it is becoming ridiculous in some of it's efforts. I'd rather take "In God We Trust" over "In Politicians We Trust".
Reply to this comment
Where are we going?
by aosipov July 12, 2006 12:29 PM PDT
Some of the proposal are completely ridiculous. Reducing this problem to its core the only people who will be able to do anything significant will be the parents. I personally would support a national child id program where a child would lose online privacy to their guardian (as in real life). The government should enforce some controls but it is ultimately up to the parent - freedom of speech is different for everyone, including children. Ultimately resources will be better spent in this way - actually allowing guardians to monitor and intefere if necessary in the online lives of their children. We are currently in a state where children can do anything online if they want - the government SHOULD get involved but should focus on restoring control to the parents not asking for impossible controls on children. Isn't marriage legal under age of 18 in some states with the permission of a guardian? Is it automatically illegal to talk about getting married to a child? Not if the guardians have given permission.

At this point this government is so out of touch with the people it is becoming ridiculous in some of it's efforts. I'd rather take "In God We Trust" over "In Politicians We Trust".
Reply to this comment
Where are we going?
by aosipov July 12, 2006 12:29 PM PDT
Some of the proposal are completely ridiculous. Reducing this problem to its core the only people who will be able to do anything significant will be the parents. I personally would support a national child id program where a child would lose online privacy to their guardian (as in real life). The government should enforce some controls but it is ultimately up to the parent - freedom of speech is different for everyone, including children. Ultimately resources will be better spent in this way - actually allowing guardians to monitor and intefere if necessary in the online lives of their children. We are currently in a state where children can do anything online if they want - the government SHOULD get involved but should focus on restoring control to the parents not asking for impossible controls on children. Isn't marriage legal under age of 18 in some states with the permission of a guardian? Is it automatically illegal to talk about getting married to a child? Not if the guardians have given permission.

At this point this government is so out of touch with the people it is becoming ridiculous in some of it's efforts. I'd rather take "In God We Trust" over "In Politicians We Trust".
Reply to this comment
So we should stop promoting kids' creativity, expression, and ...
by jdscardino July 13, 2006 9:42 AM PDT
So we should ban kids from being able to go online and create their own web pages, stop them from writing blogs about how they feel - what has them upset - and who/what makes them happy, and strip them of a sense of community.

All to save one kid. "Just one kid."

Well I have news - It's not worth it to save 'just one kid.' Whatever happened to Habeus Corpus? We're 'locking people up' just to save them from doing wrong. Can we please stop stripping people of their rights and start embracing the new culture of things?

The world is changing - ideals are changing - and it seems like the old-heads in Washington are doing everything in their power to try and stop the change from going on.

Don't hate - participate.

I'd love to see MY local politicians on MySpace write blogs about what they're fighting for in city council, invite people to share comments about what changes they'd like to see in the city, or problems they know about.

And heaven forbid we give kids an outlet where they can express themselves. Not to mention possibly give parents a way to monitor what their teens are thinking. Blogs are the new diary. Log on - check your kids' new blog entries and find out what's going on in their lives. You might learn something useful yourself. Dare I say it - it might make you a better parent!
Reply to this comment
So we should stop promoting kids' creativity, expression, and ...
by jdscardino July 13, 2006 9:42 AM PDT
So we should ban kids from being able to go online and create their own web pages, stop them from writing blogs about how they feel - what has them upset - and who/what makes them happy, and strip them of a sense of community.

All to save one kid. "Just one kid."

Well I have news - It's not worth it to save 'just one kid.' Whatever happened to Habeus Corpus? We're 'locking people up' just to save them from doing wrong. Can we please stop stripping people of their rights and start embracing the new culture of things?

The world is changing - ideals are changing - and it seems like the old-heads in Washington are doing everything in their power to try and stop the change from going on.

Don't hate - participate.

I'd love to see MY local politicians on MySpace write blogs about what they're fighting for in city council, invite people to share comments about what changes they'd like to see in the city, or problems they know about.

And heaven forbid we give kids an outlet where they can express themselves. Not to mention possibly give parents a way to monitor what their teens are thinking. Blogs are the new diary. Log on - check your kids' new blog entries and find out what's going on in their lives. You might learn something useful yourself. Dare I say it - it might make you a better parent!
Reply to this comment
Crack down on this kind of "journalism"
by July 13, 2006 12:08 PM PDT
MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Reply to this comment
Crack down on this kind of "journalism"
by July 13, 2006 12:08 PM PDT
MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Reply to this comment
 See all 46 Comments >>
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