[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 12, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H6254-H6257]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL INTERNET SAFETY MONTH

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 455) supporting the goals and ideals of 
National Internet Safety Month, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 455

       Whereas, on May 16, 2007, the United States Senate passed a 
     resolution designating June 2007 as ``National Internet 
     Safety Month'';
       Whereas there are more than 1,000,000,000 Internet users 
     worldwide;
       Whereas, in the United States, 35,000,000 children in 
     kindergarten through grade 12 have Internet access;
       Whereas approximately 80 percent of the children of the 
     United States in grades 5 through 12 are online for at least 
     1 hour per week;
       Whereas approximately 41 percent of students in grades 5 
     through 12 do not share with their parents what they do on 
     the Internet;
       Whereas approximately 24 percent of students in grades 5 
     through 12 have hidden their online activities from their 
     parents;
       Whereas approximately 31 percent of the students in grades 
     5 through 12 have the skill to circumvent Internet filter 
     software;
       Whereas 61 percent of the students admit to using the 
     Internet unsafely or inappropriately;
       Whereas 20 percent of middle school and high school 
     students have met face-to-face with someone they first met 
     online;
       Whereas 23 percent of students know someone who has been 
     bullied online;
       Whereas 56 percent of parents feel that online bullying of 
     children is an issue that needs to be addressed;
       Whereas 47 percent of parents feel that their ability to 
     monitor and shelter their children from inappropriate 
     material on the Internet is limited; and
       Whereas 61 percent of parents want to be more personally 
     involved with Internet safety: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals and ideals of recognizing National 
     Internet Safety Month;
       (2) recognizes that National Internet Safety Month provides 
     the citizens of the United States with an opportunity to 
     learn more about--
       (A) the dangers of the Internet; and
       (B) the importance of being safe and responsible online;
       (3) commends and recognizes national and community 
     organizations for--
       (A) promoting awareness of the dangers of the Internet; and
       (B) providing information and training that develops 
     critical thinking and decision-making skills that are needed 
     to use the Internet safely; and
       (4) calls on parents, educators, Internet safety 
     organizations, law enforcement, community leaders, and 
     volunteers to increase their efforts to raise the level of 
     awareness for the need for online safety in the United 
     States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Stearns) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, June is National Internet Safety Month, and the 
resolution before us today highlights this designation. As a member of 
the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the Energy 
and Commerce Committee, I want to commend the gentlewoman from Illinois 
(Ms. Bean) for introducing this resolution and for her efforts to 
protect our children from the lurking dangers on the Internet.

[[Page H6255]]

  It is not hyperbole to say that the Internet is the most powerful 
tool ever developed for disseminating information to as many people as 
possible. Not since the invention of radio or, perhaps, since even the 
printing press, has a technological development so radically altered 
the means by which we spread information to the general public.
  Moreover, the Internet has completely revolutionized the way in which 
we communicate with each other on an individualized basis. Not since 
the invention of the telephone has a technology revolutionized the way 
in which we interact with each other, one on one, regardless of 
distance or geography.
  But, of course, with such great revolutions, there are always 
drawbacks. There will always be some who take advantage of the profound 
benefits provided by technology and use it for nefarious purposes. As 
marvelous as the Internet and the World Wide Web have become as a means 
of empowering ordinary people to communicate ideas in a manner that was 
once unimaginable, the Internet has also becoming a breeding ground, 
yes, a breeding ground for poisonous messages and images. It has become 
the modern, virtual wild, wild west where cyberbandits and thieves roam 
to prey on unsuspecting consumers by deception and by extracting from 
them sensitive private information.
  And at its very worst, the Internet and the World Wide Web can be a 
complete snakepit, full of predators and scum who would prey on the 
most innocent and vulnerable members of our society, our children.
  Mr. Speaker, H. Res. 455 supports the goals and ideals of National 
Internet Safety Month. The resolution before us recognizes the many 
national and community organizations that exist to educate parents and 
children on what steps they can take to protect their families from 
unsuitable content and from online predators.
  The Federal Trade Commission is the crown jewel of the Federal 
Government's mission to protect consumers, and has played a critical 
role in this regard. In addition to its ongoing efforts to crack down 
on cybercrime, the Commission has engaged in a public relations 
campaign to promote awareness and online safety habits.
  The FTC has established a 1-800 number which serves as a help line 
and as the designee where consumers can file complaints. Moreover, the 
Commission has set up a special Web site, www.OnGuardOnline.gov--that 
is www.OnGuardOnline.gov--to provide tips to consumers in protecting 
themselves and their children from Internet fraud.
  Lastly, Mr. Speaker, the FTC is engaged in a public awareness 
campaign to promote Internet safety through a child-friendly mascot 
named ``Dewie the Turtle,'' much the same way Smokey the Bear 
successfully promoted the prevention of forest fires.
  In addition to the FTC's efforts, numerous private and community-
based organizations exist to educate and empower parents, young 
children and teenagers to have a safe, wholesome Internet experience.

                              {time}  1130

  They all provide a commendable service that parents and consumers 
should use to help empower themselves against Internet dangers. These 
organizations are listed on the FTC's Web site, and I will include the 
list into the Record at this point.

                          For More Information

       To learn more about staying safe online, visit the 
     following organizations:
       Federal Trade Commission--www.OnGuardOnline.gov--The FTC 
     works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and 
     unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide 
     information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To 
     file a complaint or to get free information on consumer 
     issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-
     877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, 
     telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related 
     complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database 
     available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement 
     agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
       The FTC manages OnGuardOnline.gov, which provides practical 
     tips from the federal government and the technology industry 
     to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your 
     computer, and protect your personal information.
       GetNetWise--www.getnetwise.org--GetNetWise is a public 
     service sponsored by Internet industry corporations and 
     public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet 
     users have safe, constructive, and educational or 
     entertaining online experiences. The GetNetWise coalition 
     wants Internet users to be just ``one click away'' from the 
     resources they need to make informed decisions about their 
     and their family's use of the Internet.
       Internet Keep Safe Coalition--www.iKeepSafe.org--
     iKeepSafe.org, home of Faux Paw the Techno Cat, is a 
     coalition of 49 governors/first spouses, law enforcement, the 
     American Medical Association, the American Academy of 
     Pediatrics, and other associations dedicated to helping 
     parents, educators, and caregivers by providing tools and 
     guidelines to teach children the safe and healthy use of 
     technology. The organization's vision is to see generations 
     of children worldwide grow up safely using technology and the 
     Internet.
       i-SAFE--www.i-safe.org--Founded in 1998 and endorsed by the 
     U.S. Congress, i-SAFE is a non-profit foundation dedicated to 
     protecting the online experiences of youth everywhere. i-SAFE 
     incorporates classroom curriculum with dynamic community 
     outreach to empower students, teachers, parents, law 
     enforcement, and concerned adults to make the Internet a 
     safer place. Join them today in the fight to safeguard 
     children's online experience.
       National Center for Missing and Exploited Children--
     www.missingkids.com; www.netsmartz.org--NCMEC is a private, 
     non-profit organization that helps prevent child abduction 
     and sexual exploitation; helps find missing children; and 
     assists victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, 
     their families, and the professionals who serve them.
       National Crime Prevention Council--www.ncpc.org; 
     www.mcgruff.org--The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) 
     is a private, nonprofit organization whose primary mission is 
     to enable people to create safer and more caring communities 
     by addressing the causes of crime and violence and reducing 
     the opportunities for crime to occur. Among many crime 
     prevention issues, NCPC addresses Internet Safety with kids 
     and parents through www.mcgruff.org and public service 
     advertising under the National Citizens' Crime Prevention 
     Campaign--symbolized by McGruff the Crime Dog' and 
     his ``Take A Bite Out Of Crime'.''
       National Cyber Security Alliance--www.staysafeonline.org--
     NCSA is a non-profit organization that provides tools and 
     resources to empower home users, small businesses, and 
     schools, colleges, and universities to stay safe online. A 
     public-private partnership, NCSA members include the 
     Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Trade 
     Commission, and many private-sector corporations and 
     organizations.
       staysafe--www.staysafe.org_staysafe.org_is an educational 
     site intended to help consumers understand both the positive 
     aspects of the Internet as well as how to manage a variety of 
     safety and security issues that exist online.
       Wired Safety--www.wiredsafety.org--WiredSafety.org is an 
     Internet safety and help group. Comprised of unpaid 
     volunteers around the world, WiredSafety.org provides 
     education, assistance, and awareness on all aspects of 
     cybrcrime and abuse, privacy, security, and responsible 
     technology use. It is also the parent group of 
     Teenangels.org, FBI-trained teens and preteens who promote 
     Internet safety.

  The measure before us today, Mr. Speaker, encourages consumers and 
parents to take advantage of these resources.
  Again, I want to thank my good friend from Illinois, Congresswoman 
Bean. She's such a champion on this issue. I want to thank her for this 
resolution, and I hope the House will see fit to pass this measure in 
expeditious fashion.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from North Carolina and his 
comments and obviously thank our colleague from Illinois (Ms. Bean) for 
bringing this very important resolution to the House floor. I'm happy 
to rise in support of this resolution and emphasize, I believe, its 
important goals for my colleagues today.
  As all of us know, the Internet is a wonderful tool for business, 
obviously for education, and for recreation. However, we have also 
learned the Internet can be a wonderful tool for not-so-wonderful 
different people. There are the general mischief makers, hackers 
seeking a cheap thrill, personal identity thieves that we know about 
and, most repugnant, stalkers and child predators.
  But despite the plethora of information out there, many people are 
still unaware of the significant dangers the Internet poses to our 
children. Children themselves are often unaware of the danger, but are 
of a--well, you know, it won't happen to me--type of thinking.
  That mindset can lead to trouble, and we've seen that in the NBC 
program, ``To Catch a Predator,'' in which

[[Page H6256]]

we've seen the insidious operations in which these child predators come 
in looking for the child, the teenager, and they're caught right on 
camera. So that camera has illustrated the problems that we have with 
the Internet and the dangers.
  Not coincidentally, June is also the month many of our children leave 
school for 3 months of vacation and recreation. So we need to raise 
awareness of the danger to our children, to our parents, and that's why 
June is an appropriate time for National Internet Safety Month.
  With less time in the classroom, these children spend more time 
obviously on computers. Parents are the first and most effective 
defense protecting our Nation's children. Most of us here in Congress 
are working parents. Our children are back in the district. We know we 
cannot look over them all the time, and perhaps the spouse is working 
also. So while we can't look over our children's shoulder every hour of 
the day, we certainly should put in place the software and the 
protection in our computer, as well as awareness of the child, of the 
insidious nature of the Internet and the evil people that are out there 
that are stalking our children.
  So this resolution is meant to bring attention to the Internet 
dangers of cyberstalking, cyberbullying and cyberchild predators. In 
conjunction with our efforts, a number of organizations, both private 
and government, have launched public awareness campaigns with 
information related to National Internet Safety Month. I applaud the 
efforts of the multiple online safety organizations, industry-wide, and 
the Department of Justice's National Criminal Justice Reference Service 
for their efforts, and I think the American public should be aware that 
the National Criminal Justice Reference Service is available through 
the Department of Justice, and you can go online to the Department of 
Justice to find out more about this service.
  The dangers of the Internet exist year-round and require vigilance in 
our defense year-round. At the same time, it is important for us to 
send a strong reminder to parents and children of the very threats of 
the Internet as our children begin their summer vacations and have more 
free, often unsupervised, time to explore cyberspace.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time,
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 6 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Bean), the author of this resolution.
  Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from North Carolina for 
yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Res. 455, which 
supports the goals and ideals of National Internet Safety Month. 
Following the lead of the Senate, I'm proud that the House of 
Representatives will recognize June 2007 as National Internet Safety 
Month with passage of my resolution today.
  I want to thank Chairman Dingell and the resolution's cosponsors, 
Representatives Upton, Green, Shimkus, Matheson, Donnelly and 
Gillibrand, for their help bringing to the floor this resolution on 
Internet safety.
  The Internet is a wonderful resource for our children. Over 35 
million students have access to the Internet and use it every day to 
expand their knowledge beyond what they can learn in textbooks and in 
the classroom. In addition, the Internet allows kids to stay connected 
with their friends when not at school.
  The Internet has increased productivity and opened a new world of 
opportunities for our children; but at the same time, it has opened a 
world of dangers. These threats, whether it be unwanted online 
solicitations, Internet scams or cyberbullying, are dangerous and real. 
In order for our children to be protected from the dangers of the 
Internet, we must work together to raise awareness of Internet safety.
  As noted in today's resolution, 41 percent of middle and high school 
students do not tell their parents about their Internet communications; 
61 percent of students admit to using the Internet unsafely or 
inappropriately; and of most concern, 20 percent of middle school and 
high school students have met face-to-face with someone they first met 
online.
  In recent studies conducted by the Department of Justice, one in 
seven children between the ages of 10 and 17 received a sexual 
solicitation online and one in 25, or essentially one per classroom, 
have received an aggressive sexual solicitation when a predator calls 
them on the phone, sends them gifts, or requests a meeting.
  Fortunately, our schools, nonprofits, local, State and Federal 
governments, and concerned corporate citizens have been actively 
engaging children on Internet safety. Programs vary, but all emphasize 
the importance of protecting personal information, keeping parents 
informed of Internet actions, and being careful who you talk to online.
  For the last 2\1/2\ years, I have hosted Internet safety forums for 
kids and adults in my own congressional district. Having teenage 
daughters of my own, I discovered while they enjoyed the opportunity to 
express themselves with popular networking sites, they had no 
appreciation for the dangers that lurked there. Whenever I meet with 
students from my district, I always emphasize tips for how to stay 
online.
  We have a little bookmarker that we distribute to children across the 
district giving them safety tips. Some of those include, number one, 
not sharing passwords or personal identifying information, and they 
really don't appreciate that while this is a site that allows them to 
connect with friends, oftentimes predators are using these sites as 
online shopping catalogs for potential victims, and by sharing 
information, they're setting themselves up as just that potential 
victim.
  We also talked to children about while trustworthiness is one of the 
pillars of character that many schools instill in their own character 
development programs, that that trustworthiness is not something that 
anyone they have met on the Internet is deserving of because oftentimes 
they're not who they say they are, and the 14-year-old from the school 
across town very well in many cases is a 38-year-old predator from out 
of State.
  We also tell them to avoid posting pictures online. Again, they're 
sharing pictures of activities and themselves with their friends, but 
those pictures are often taken out of context and they have no control 
over how they're used, where they're used, who they're used by. And we 
also remind particularly our high schoolers that not only colleges but 
future employers will be looking on these networking sites to see the 
pictures they have posted; and while they may think these are private 
or they can take those pictures back, through the use of technology, in 
most cases they can't. Once they're out there, they can't get those 
back.
  Besides educating children about Internet safety, it's as important 
to inform parents how to keep their kids safe online. The sad reality 
is children know far more about the Internet and they're much more 
comfortable with computer usage than we as parents tend to be, but we 
have to work at it.
  Approximately 50 percent of parents admit that they do not properly 
monitor their children's Internet activity and they don't use filter, 
blocking or monitoring software on their home computers. Parents need 
to be engaged and ask their children what they're doing online.

                              {time}  1140

  We all remember, and our children remember, stranger danger. We 
certainly have all, as parents, encouraged them never to talk to 
strangers at the playground. The playground has gotten a lot bigger, 
and now those strangers can come right into our home, and in some 
cases, our children's bedrooms, which is also why we encourage parents 
not to put computers in their children's rooms but to put them in a 
public place.
  Finally, install filter blocking and monitoring software to prevent 
children from visiting dangerous sites.
  In addition to today's resolution, I have introduced legislation that 
will expand the FTC's resources to create public awareness with a 
national campaign to help kids, teachers and parents protect 
themselves.
  In closing, I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 455 and encourage 
them to use Internet National Safety Month as an opportunity to support 
the efforts of our local, State and Federal government, local and 
national nonprofit organizations, and concerned

[[Page H6257]]

corporate citizens in promoting Internet safety.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I just want to commend the gentlelady for 
her statistics that she brings forward. I think many of us, when you 
hear 1 in 25, that doesn't sound too bad, but that one person out of 25 
could be your son or daughter, and it would be a tragedy. The 
statistics bring home to all of us, particularly people that have seen 
our children grow up and use the Internet.
  I would also suggest that she make available to all Members a copy of 
that bookmark. I think that bookmark is a terrific idea, and I think a 
lot of Members who have young children certainly could use that 
bookmark back in their district. Again, I think what she is doing is 
very important.
  In the committee that I am ranking member of, the Subcommittee on 
Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection, we have passed out of the 
subcommittee, the full committee, and in the House recently, the 
spyware bill, H.R. 964. This bill obviously is about spyware that's 
used to penetrate your computer and to find out different pieces of 
information about what you are doing that can be used for 
cyberstalking.
  I want to applaud the House for voting overwhelmingly. I think it was 
over 360 Members voted for spyware. I urge the Senate to pass the 
spyware bill and bring it to conference, so that we can get it to the 
President's desk.
  This would go also towards preventing the cyberstalking, some of the 
things we see here, and which we are seeking with Internet Safety 
Month.
  Again, I thank the gentlelady for her efforts here.
  Mr. BARTON of Texas. I am pleased to offer my support of H. Res. 455 
offered by my colleague, Representative Melissa Bean.
  The power of the Internet has revolutionized communications and 
affected the lives of people in every comer of the planet. It does more 
good than most of us can imagine. It's also no secret that the Internet 
also can be dangerous, especially for trusting children who go online 
without parents or teachers looking over their shoulders.
  Studies say that more than a billion people use the Internet, and 
none of us need a study to know that some of them are wretched 
predators. In the United States, 35,000,000 children in kindergarten 
through 12th grade have Internet access. Of those students, 61 percent 
admit to using the Internet unsafely or inappropriately. As many as 47 
percent of parents feel unable to fully monitor and shelter their 
children from inappropriate material.
  We on the Energy and Commerce Committee are acutely aware of the 
Internet's value to commerce and communication, but we have also seen 
the evil that people can do when they use the Internet to attract and 
abuse children. And yet many parents and children are simply unaware of 
hazards that exist only one click away.
  We want our children to feel safe at home, and they do, but that 
sense of safety can also cause them to let down their guard with the 
strangers they meet by computer. The consequences can range from 
unhappy experiences with cyber-bullying to tragic involvement in kiddy 
porn.
  June is National Internet Safety Month, a time used to promote 
education and awareness of these issues and stress their preventability 
through an ad campaign. The campaign focuses on advice to parents in 
educating their children on the dangers of the Internet along with true 
stories of children succumbing to predators. It also provides important 
links and information on how to report an offender.
  H. Res. 455, promoting National Internet Safety Month, commends 
national and community organizations for promoting awareness of the 
dangers of the Internet and providing information and training that 
develops critical thinking and decision making skills that are 
necessary in order to safely utilize the Internet. The House also 
recognizes the continued involvement of parents, educators, law 
enforcement, and community leaders as vital to the online safety of 
America's children.
  Designating June as National Internet Safety Month reminds us that we 
should always be on guard to protect our children from potential online 
threats.
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) that the House suspend 
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 455, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________