[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H13561-H13562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SAFEGUARDING AMERICA'S FAMILIES BY ENHANCING AND REORGANIZING NEW AND
EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES ACT OF 2007
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 3461) to establish a public awareness campaign regarding
Internet safety, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 3461
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Safeguarding America's
Families by Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient
Technologies Act of 2007''.
SEC. 2. INTERNET SAFETY.
For purposes of this Act, the issue of Internet safety
includes issues regarding use of the Internet in a manner
that promotes safe online activity, including safe
transactions involved in online commerce, and protects
against threats to financial information and privacy, threats
from cyber-crime, and threats to juveniles, including cyber-
predators and material that is inappropriate for minors.
SEC. 3. PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.
The Federal Trade Commission shall carry out a nationwide
program to increase public awareness and provide education
regarding Internet safety, for families, businesses,
organizations, and other users, that utilizes existing
resources and efforts of the Federal Government, State and
local governments, nonprofit organizations, private
technology and financial companies, Internet service
providers, World Wide Web-based resources, and other
appropriate entities, that includes--
(1) identifying, promoting, and encouraging best practices
for Internet safety;
(2) establishing and carrying out a national outreach and
education campaign regarding Internet safety utilizing
various media and Internet-based resources;
(3) facilitating access to, and the exchange of,
information regarding Internet safety to promote up-to-date
knowledge regarding current issues; and
(4) facilitating access to Internet safety education and
public awareness efforts the Commission considers appropriate
to States, units of local government, schools, police
departments, nonprofit organizations, and such other
entities.
SEC. 4. ANNUAL REPORTS.
The Commission shall submit a report to Congress not later
than March 31 of each year that describes the activities
carried out under section 3 by the Commission during the
preceding calendar year.
SEC. 5. ONLINE SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY WORKING GROUP.
(a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce
for Communications and Information shall establish an Online
Safety and Technology working group comprised of
representatives of relevant sectors of the business
community, public interest groups, and other appropriate
groups and Federal agencies to review and evaluate--
(1) the status of industry efforts to promote online safety
through educational efforts, parental control technology,
blocking and filtering software, age-appropriate labels for
content or other technologies or initiatives designed to
promote a safe online environment for children;
(2) the status of industry efforts to promote online safety
among providers of electronic communications services and
remote computing services by reporting apparent child
pornography under section 13032 of title 42, United States
Code;
(3) the practices of electronic communications service
providers and remote computing service providers related to
record retention in connection with crimes against children;
and
(4) the development of technologies to help parents shield
their children from inappropriate material on the Internet.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the working group
established under subsection (a) is first convened, it shall
submit a report to the Assistant Secretary and the Committee
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives that--
(1) describes in detail its findings, including any
information related to the effectiveness of such strategies
and technologies and any information about the prevalence
within industry of educational campaigns, parental control
technologies, blocking and filtering software, labeling, or
other technologies to assist parents; and
(2) includes recommendations as to what types of incentives
could be used or developed to increase the effectiveness and
implementation of such strategies and technologies.
SEC. 6. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall
apply:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Trade Commission.
(2) Internet.--The term ``Internet'' means collectively the
myriad of computer and telecommunications facilities,
including equipment and operating software, which comprise
the interconnected world-wide network of networks that employ
the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, or any
predecessor or successor protocols to such protocol, to
communicate information of all kinds by wire or radio.
SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
For carrying out the public awareness campaign under
section 3, there is authorized to be appropriated to the
Commission $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, which shall
remain available until until September 30, 2009.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr.
Upton) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from North Carolina.
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3461, the Safeguarding America's Families by
Enhancing and Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies Act of 2007,
or the SAFER NET Act as we refer to it, was introduced by Congresswoman
Melissa Bean from Illinois. The bill, Mr. Speaker, has 41 cosponsors,
and it was reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee with
unanimous, bipartisan support just 2 weeks ago, I believe it was, on
October 30. As a member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and
Consumer Protection, I want to thank the gentlelady for her ongoing and
tireless efforts to protect children from the lurking dangers on the
Internet.
Earlier this year, the distinguished gentlewoman (Ms. Bean)
introduced H. Res. 455, which was a resolution supporting the goals of
National Internet Safety Month, which passed the House on June 12. As
such, the bill on the floor today is a quality legislative extension of
her previous work on Internet safety.
H.R. 3461, the SAFER NET Act, directs the Federal Trade Commission to
carry out a nationwide public awareness campaign about Internet safety
and directs the Commission to annually report to Congress on its
activity to promote Internet safety. The bill, as amended, authorizes
$5 million for 1 year to carry out this public awareness campaign.
Currently, Mr. Speaker, the Federal Trade Commission is engaged in
numerous activities to promote awareness and on-line safety habits. The
Commission has established a toll-free number which serves as a help
line where consumers can file their complaints. Moreover, the FTC has
set up a very special Web site, www.OnGuardOnline.gov, that is all one
word, to provide tips to consumers in protecting themselves and their
children from Internet fraud.
Lastly, the Federal Trade Commission is engaged in a public awareness
campaign to promote Internet safety through a child friendly mascot
named Dewie the Turtle, much the same way that Smokey the Bear
successfully promoted the prevention of forest fires many years ago.
The office responsible for managing these initiatives is the Division
of Consumer and Business Education. And Congresswoman Bean's bill will
aid the FTC in its laudable efforts to protect children from
inappropriate content and from the predators that would do them harm.
Mr. Speaker, the Internet is one of the most significant
technological developments in the history of humankind, and my friend,
Mr. Markey, who spoke just moments before me, made that point in a
profound way. The way people obtain information and communicate with
each other has been completely revolutionized in a manner unthinkable
just 20 years ago. However, with this great revolution comes a price.
Our children are now more vulnerable to the despicable creatures that
would prey on them by exploiting the powers of the Internet. It is,
therefore, imperative that we in Congress do everything we can to
fulfill our duties to promote healthy and safe environments for our
children. The SAFER NET Act is a quality step in the right direction. I
urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation and pass the
bill.
Mr. Speaker, I retain the balance of my time.
Mr. UPTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
[[Page H13562]]
I want to again thank Chairman Dingell and Mr. Barton, the ranking
member of the committee. I remember 2 weeks ago when we moved this
through our committee, it was a very important piece of legislation.
Ms. Bean is the author of this. I know Mary Bono on our side helped
immensely in getting it through the subcommittee. We all rise in
support of H.R. 3461, Safeguarding America's Families by Enhancing and
Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies Act of 2007.
This bill directs the FTC, the Federal Trade Commission, to carry out
a nationwide public awareness campaign about Internet safety, provides
a 1-year authorization of $5 million to carry out that campaign, and
directs the FTC to report annually to the Congress on its activities to
promote Internet safety. I look forward to those reports as the ranking
member of the Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee.
The FTC has been very active in the area, and its current computer
security education campaign is built around an innovative multimedia
Web site, www.OnguardOnline.gov, with special tips and features for
children, teens and their parents. H.R. 3461 expands these underway.
Moreover, the Internet defines Internet safety to include threats to
juveniles, including cyber predators and material that is inappropriate
for minors, criminal activity beyond the FTC's authority and scope. And
to fulfill that directive, the FTC would then partner with the FBI and
the U.S. Postal Service and with prominent nongovernmental
organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children.
Mr. Speaker, I visit a school almost every week, actually more than
once a week, and often when I speak to an elementary school, I will ask
those third or fourth graders, ``How many of you have seen something
inappropriate on the Internet?'' It didn't used to be. It used to be
that my question was, ``How many of you have a computer at home?'' Now
practically everyone has a computer at home. But now when I ask that
question, ``Have you seen something inappropriate?'' every hand goes
up, including mine.
Mr. Speaker, I hosted an event in our district two Mondays ago on
Internet safety in our intermediate school district in Berrien County,
was attended by hundreds of people. We had votes that night so I
couldn't be there. But it is a concern. Parents have to know what is
going on. And that is why this new Web site, OnGuardOnline.gov is very
important so that the word can get out, because the Internet is a
double-edged sword. Yes, it helps our lives in so many different ways,
but we have to look out for the nightmare that could come into that
home from someone who we would not want in as a decent parent.
So this is good legislation. It is going to have a positive impact.
There is a reason that it passed by unanimous vote among Republicans
and Democrats. I hope that the Senate can move along quickly. We will
be willing to give them a kick if they don't do that.
I don't have any other speakers requesting time, and I yield back my
time.
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I don't have any further speakers on
this side. I am ready to close this out and to yield back my time.
Before doing so, I again want to thank Ms. Bean for this legislation
and thank Mr. Upton for his advocacy and his passion for this issue.
These legislators work very hard to bring this issue to the forefront,
and they have done a magnificent job in doing this today.
Ms. BEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill,
H.R. 3461, The Safeguarding America's Families by Enhancing and
Reorganizing New and Efficient Technologies Act or SAFER NET. I want to
thank Chairman Dingell and Chairman Rush for their help in bringing
this bill to the floor today. I also to thank Congressman Baron Hill,
the lead cosponsor of this bill, and Congresswoman Mary Bono for her
contributions to this legislation.
The Internet is a wonderful resource for our children. Over 90
percent of school age children use the Internet on a regular basis.
They use it to expand their knowledge beyond what they can learn in the
classroom and use it to stay connected with their friends when not at
school.
The Internet has increased productivity and opened new opportunities
to our children, but while doing so, it has created new threats. These
threats whether it be unwanted online solicitations, Internet scams, or
cyber-bullying 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 and educate them
about Internet safety. As noted in a study conducted by the National
Assessment Center:
41 percent of middle and high school students do not share with their
parents what they do on the Internet.
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 in
conjunction with the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children, one in seven children between the ages of 10 and 17 received
a sexual solicitation online.
And one in 25 or one per classroom receives an aggressive sexual
solicitation when a predator calls them on the phone, sends them gifts,
or requests a meeting.
Informing parents is just as important to keep our kids safe online.
Unfortunately, approximately half of parents surveyed admit that they
do not properly monitor their children's Internet activity and do not
use filter, blocking, or monitoring software on their home computers.
Parents need to be engaged and ask their children what they are doing
online. Unfortunately, nearly half of parents surveyed do not believe
that they are able to properly monitor their children's actions online.
As a parent, you wouldn't let your son or daughter play with a friend
without knowing who was in charge and where they would be playing. The
same should be the case with the Internet. The Internet is a large
virtual playground and just like on the playground at the park, kids
need to be supervised.
Fortunately, our schools, non-profits, 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.
Although these resources are great, not enough kids and parents are
aware of them. Internet safety is an issue of national importance that
deserves a national response.
That is why passing The SAFER NET Act today is so important.
The SAFER NET Act would authorize $5 million for the Federal Trade
Commission to conduct a national public awareness campaign to promote
Internet Safety.
In addition, the bill will direct the Federal Trade Commission to
build on the efforts of its Onguard Online website so it can better
serve as a virtual clearinghouse of Internet safety information.
Finally the SAFER NET Act would establish a working group through the
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to
review and evaluate industry efforts to promote online safety and
protect children from inappropriate material online.
In closing, I want to thank the staff on the Energy & Commerce
Committee, J.D. Grom on my staff, and Nathan Fenstermacher who
previously served in my office and helped draft the original SAFER NET
Act last Congress for their assistance.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3461.
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 pass the bill, H.R. 3461, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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