I wish to comment on the new proposed bill that would ban anyone under 18 from accessing social networking sites at schools & libraries where children are often unsupervised. The proposed bill known as the “The Deleting Online Predators Act” was introduced by Michael G. Fitzpatrick.

As a parent I too have a concern with pedophiles trolling these network sites like MySpace.

The social networking sites have become a place where teens flock despite the warnings. Teens hear advice about the issues of networking sites from their parents, teachers, and other adults in their lives, but still they engage in risky behavior and test authority.

I’ve been saying for a long time that the Government needs to step in and regulate the internet. The internet can be a wonderful resource for children, but when it is used properly.

I just want to say Kudos to Michael G. Fitzpatrick for introducing this bill.

According to facts taken from Suzanne Stanford ‘s website

27% of teens said that they have known a friend to actually meet someone whom they only knew online (Teen Research Unlimited, ‘;Topline Findings from Omnibuss Research,’ October 2005.)

Online teens admit that they frequently communicate with people they have never met: 54% have Instant Messaged a stranger, 50% have emailed a stranger, and 45% have participated in a chat room discussion with a stranger (Teen Research Unlimited, ‘;Topline Findings from Omnibuss Research,’ October 2005.
Something needs to be done and the bill known as the Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006 – according to Michael G. Fitzpatrick would help prevent online predators from accessing children over the Internet if they were not allowed access to social Web sites on public school or library computers.

According to an article on mtv.com the proposed bill will allow the filter to be turned off for educational purposes by adults or minors visiting the sites under adult supervision.

For more information on this bill, please see the following link. fitzpatrick.house.gov