[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 35 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E358]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THE ONLINE PARENTAL CONTROL ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 1996

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, today I'm introducing the Online Parental 
Control Act of 1996 to fix a major flaw in the telecommunications 
reform bill. My proposal strengthens the control parents have over 
their children's access to online materials and better protects the 
first amendment rights of computer users.
  First, it replaces the controversial indecency standard with a 
constitutional harmful to minors standard.
  Second, it provides additional incentives for the development of 
better parental control technologies, as well as the use of labeling or 
segregating systems which would allow parents to restrict access to 
online materials.
  I support efforts to address this issue in court. But I also believe 
a protracted legal battle will potentially leave children exposed to 
harmful material and place the free speech rights of computer users in 
jeopardy for an extended period of time.
  Congress needs to offer both sides of this controversy a reasonable 
opportunity to resolve it. The Online Parental Control Act, I believe, 
is the sensible opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this effort to protect 
both children and free speech by cosponsoring this legislation.

                          ____________________