In 2006 and 2007, federal and state government officials introduced the Deleting Online Predators Act, the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act and the Social Networking Website Prohibition Act. These bills would prohibit anyone under 18 years old from accessing social-networking, blogging and chat room sites in public schools, libraries and other institutions that receive certain types of government funding. The language contained in these bills does not take into account the vast majority of visitors to these sites who use them legitimately for educational, civic, business and social purposes. Also, these bills do not specify the criteria for deciding which websites will be blocked from access by minors. We recommend that parents, government officials and members of the media first understand why social-networking, blogging and chat room sites are so important to teenagers and young adults. Banning social-networking, blogging and chat room websites from public schools and libraries is not the answer. A more effective and long-lasting solution is to give public schools and libraries the resources to offer safety courses to everyone. Education and not censorship is the key to helping America's youth understand how these websites can be used safely.
Many of our nation's leaders are not intimately familiar with how social-networking, blogging and chat room websites operate, and none of them have had computers and the Internet their whole life. This petition and the testimonials given by the individuals who sign it symbolize the importance and amazing power of social networking, blogging and chat room sites. It is up to young people, who are the most comfortable and knowledgeable about the Internet, to tell Congress that they are creating ill-advised legislation.
There are more than 300 social-networking websites in existence, with hundreds of millions of members (60% of 13-17 year olds belong to at least one). There are many more blogging and chat room sites that would also be affected by these bills. We want Congress to recognize that many of these websites are used for positive experiences and that any proposed legislation be amended to ensure every American's right to access these sites.
Regardless of whether you use sites like MySpace, Blogger or AOL, you are an American and your rights to access and express yourself on the Internet are being threatened. You must speak out. There are many ways to do it. The first should be to sign this petition.
The
SAVE
YOUR SPACE Petition (Original and DOPA-specific -
Created 5-25-2006)
In mid-May, Pennsylvania
Republican Michael Fitzpatrick endorsed legislation that
would severely limit websites that allow public forums
and personal profiles. The bill, HR 5319 titled "Deleting
Online Predators Act of 2006," uses broad language that
would affect such sites as MySpace, Friendster, Bebo,
Facebook, TagWorld, AOL, blogs, chat rooms, e-mail and
more. In essence, public schools and libraries would be
prohibited from allowing access to such web sites as
MySpace, because Congress feels that young people put too
much information about themselves on the Internet.
Fitzpatrick's bill claims that limitations on public
forum-type Internet sites will protect minors (anyone
under 18) from predators. The bill's language, however,
does not take into account the vast majority of visitors
to sites such as MySpace who use those sites
legitimately. When taking the millions of MySpace members
into account, in fact, incidents involving predators are
rare.
We recommend that parents, government officials and
members of the media first understand why
social-networking sites are so important to teenagers and
young adults. Banning social-networking web sites and
forums from public schools and libraries is not the
answer. If Congress is really serious about protecting
children, they should be giving public schools and
libraries resources to offer safety courses every day of
the week. Education is the key to helping America's youth
understand how social-networking web sites can be used
safely.
Parents should discuss these guidelines for safely using
social networking sites with their children. If passed,
Fitzpatrick's bill will infringe on millions of innocent
people's right to access and express themselves on the
Internet.
It is these real, legitimate users who need to speak out.
Perhaps the scariest part of this legislation is that no
one involved appears to actually use the websites or
resources in question. It is uncomfortable - to say the
least - that those most unfamiliar with this form of
communication are trying to seize control of it. Do they
honestly believe that millions of people are predators?
Or are they willing to punish millions of responsible
people for the actions of just a few? We understand the
need to protect children from predators, but we believe
that this protection must first start in the home and not
be mandated by the federal government. HR 5319 in its
current form endangers every American's right to freedom
of speech.
We oppose HR 5319 in its current form and want Congress
to amend HR 5319 and recognize the importance of social
networking, blogging and chat room web sites for our
country's youth. The current House Resolution will
restrict how much access young people have to these web
sites, because Congress feels that young people put too
much information about themselves on the Internet.
But many of our nation's leaders are not intimately
familiar with how social-networking websites operate, and
none of them have had computers and Internet all of their
life. We want to educate them on how our ability to
communicate with our friends depends on social networks.
It is up to young people, who are the most comfortable
and knowledgeable about the Internet, to tell Congress
that they are making an ill-advised decision.
There are over 300 social networking websites in
existence, with hundreds of millions of members (60% of
13-17 year olds belong to at least one). We want Congress
to recognize that many of these websites are used for
positive educational, civic, professional, and social
experiences.
Regardless of whether you use sites like MySpace, Blogger
or AOL, you are an American and your rights are being
threatened. To help stop this infringement, you must
speak out.
DOPA
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