H.R.5319 - Deleting Online Predators Act of 2006

In 2006 H.R. 5319 - Deleting Online Predators Act was introduced into the House by Rep. Michael G Fitzpatrick in order to:
"amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require recipients of universal service support for schools and libraries to protect minors from commercial social networking websites and chat rooms." As of July 2006 the bill was stuck in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It was obviously killed or tabled because no further action occurred until it was re-introduced in January of 2007 by Senator Ted Stevens. Again as of January 4, 2007 it was still in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

In essence this bill would take away any federal Internet subsides that schools receive if they do not block social networking sites. The goal of this bill is to protect children from the predators that lie within social networking site. Thought this is a goal of anyone who has or works with children. I think it is also a little too "big brother" as the government would block all social networking site, would that include Elgg? which could possibly just be focused on your group. And what about blogs, instant messaging services, and all the other sites that kids can find and so can the predators. There has to be a better way.

For more information read this article : US House: Schools must block MySpace, many other sites