[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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