Remarks by Congressman Steve Chabot on the KIDS Act

Remarks by Congressman Steve Chabot on the KIDS Act

Congressman Steve Chabot (R-Cincinnati) gave the following statement regarding the introduction of H.R. 720, the KIDS Act, Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2007:

"I'd like to thank my House and Senate colleagues here today for their ongoing leadership on this critical issue. Today is another significant step in our efforts to protect our nation's most precious asset - our children.

"Last summer, we passed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, which increased national registration requirements and penalties on sex offenders. This Act was a much-needed response to the growing threats our nation's children face each and every day.

"However, the threat faced by our kids still exists and, in fact, continues to grow. Technological advances often give sexual predators new avenues to target children - making it essential that our laws keep up with technology.

"As every parent knows, we can't just worry about who our kids meet at the mall or a park… Outside their schools or around the neighborhood. We must worry about who our kids are meeting and communicating with over the internet. And we must remain constantly vigilant to keep child predators from using technology to get into our homes.

"News accounts demonstrate that there are no safe harbors for our children. In fact, in my own district, a local news investigation by WCPO recently revealed the presence of convicted sexual offenders lurking online, opening their own web pages, and participating in online chat rooms and other social networking web sites - often geared to kids and teens.

"One sexual predator in the report served four years at the London Correctional Institute for sexual battery where he says he picked up the name ‘Mr. Lonely,' which he uses on his MySpace Account.

"The legislation that we are introducing sends the message that we will not tolerate this disturbing trend. The Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act, or KIDS Act, of 2007, ensures that our laws are as up-to-date as the technology used by child predators. This bill will: require convicted sex offenders to register and update online identifier information such as email addresses, instant message addresses, or other identification addresses to the sex offender registry; allow online social networking sites to access the internet information maintained in the registry. It will also criminalize the actions of those who lie about their age in order to prey upon young kids.

"This bill complements and expands the security and privacy features announced last week by MySpace to ensure that our kids are interacting with their peers and are viewing and posting age-appropriate content.

"We must remain vigilant in our ongoing efforts to protect children - especially as technology progresses. We want parents to know that we understand their concerns and are doing everything possible to keep sexual predators away from their children and out of their homes."

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh01_chabot/KidsAct.html