Child Internet Laws
The Internet is an important part of our lives today. It provides excellent research opportunities, study options, work and ways to socialize. Allowing a child to explore this world can enhance their learning but also brings about a few dangers. Congress has enacted a series of laws to protect children while they are using the Internet.
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The Child Online Protection Act
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In 1998 congress created the Child Online Protection Act. Under this act Internet providers are required to ask for proof of age before releasing any sexualy explicit material to a minor. The law was challenged several times by the ACLU and other civil liberty organizations. The debate was finally settled in 2004 when Internet filtering technology negated the need for criminal sanctions against Internet providers.
The Children's Internet Protection Act
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The Children's Internet Protection Act required that any school or library that receives federal funding place pornography blocking software onto their computers. The library portion of the law was challenged and eventually overturned on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. However, the section about schools has remained unchallenged and is mandatory.
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Sexual Predator Laws
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Under the sexual predator laws passed in 2003, law enforcement agencies are allowed to use wiretapping devices for seven different sexual offenses, one of which is child pornography. The law is designed to stop sexual predators before they strike by allowing police and other agencies to use wiretapping on anyone suspected of sexual offenses toward children. The law is also designed to help catch sexual predators who use the Internet as a means to lure, victimize or abuse children.
Cyber Bullying Laws
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Cyber bullying is becoming more common as children spend an increasing amount of time on the Internet. Although cyber bullying laws differ from state to state, several states have enacted legislation allowing schools, police and parents to take action. In 2007, Arkansas passed a law allowing schools to pursue a cyber bulling case even if the bullying did not originate on school property. In 2006, Idaho allowed schools the power to suspend students who used a telephone or computer to bully a fellow student. After the suicide of a 13-year-old girl in Missouri who was a victim of a cyber Internet prank, the state increased the severity of cyber bullying cases. Cyber bullying was moved from a misdemeanor to a class D felony.
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References
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