The Internet is seen as a remarkably effective tool for the exchange of information, for commerce, and for communication. Unfortunately, the technology has been abused by sexual predators that use it to take advantage children. Currently there are several laws and acts intended to protect children from harm through Internet use. Below is a list of some measures that have helped parents keep their children safe from harmful predators and material that are online.
The federal government has enacted legislation since 2003 that provides protection to children from sexual predators using the Internet to find victims. These laws basically have allowed wiretapping to identify seven specific sexual offenses that include child pornography and sexual exploitation. The Protect Act of 2003 seeks to catch online predators before they lure or even attempt to lure children into offline meetings, or to solicit sexually explicit photos of the children.
Additionally, the Protect Act mandated the now-famous Amber Alert system for abducted children, which adds even further wiretapping authority to the federal enforcement agencies working to catch online predators.
Other government efforts have included the creation of legislation intended to protect children from unsolicited email or spam. The Communications Decency Act of 1996 made it illegal to place sexually explicit materials on the Internet in locations where children could find it, but by 1997 the law was found too broad in its terms and was labeled unconstitutional.
In 1998 a more specific version of the 1996 Act appeared; the Child Online Protection Act required websites to seek verification of age before allowing users to access their sexually explicit materials. This too was found unconstitutional, but the Supreme Court ordered the lower courts to consider advanced filter technologies to protect children more effectively.
By 2001 schools and libraries receiving federal technology funds were require to install pornography blocking software. This too was declared unconstitutional, but upon reaching the Supreme Court has been left intact as a protective measure.
Despite the ongoing efforts of lawmakers, Internet sexual predators continue to find ways to take advantage of children online. If you or someone you love is the victim of an Internet predator, contact an attorney to discuss your rights.
When the Internet is used for child pornography or other sexual acts against children, the crime can fall under
child molestation or
child sexual abuse laws. Contact a
personal injury attorney for more information.
