Congressman Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), who has already sponsored legislation to ban access to social-networking Web sites such as MySpace and Facebook in schools and libraries, has added the virtual world "Second Life" to his list of targets.
On Monday Kirk held a press conference regarding the issue. He also issued a press release and sent a letter to the FTC (available at the press release link above), which said, in part:
Using the search tool, minors have the ability to teleport to locations where there are brothels, rape rooms, sex clubs and bondage stores. The images and language in these parts of Second Life are graphic and inappropriate for children.
Not only does Second Life contain explicit material but it also can pose as a "virtual hunting ground" for pedophiles to prey on young children using the anonymity of the Internet.
The Deleting Online Predators Act (H. R. 1120) was first introduced in 2006 and was reintroduced last year by Kirk.
H. R. 1120 would require schools and libraries that receive federal subsidies through a program called E-rate to certify that they are "enforcing a policy of Internet safety for minors that includes monitoring the online activities of minors and the operation of a technology protection measure with respect to any of its computers with Internet access."
"Second Life" has two virtual districts, one for ages 18+ and one for those aged 13-17. However, company officials have acknowledged it is possible for adults to get into the teen district and vice versa.
However, Linden Lab, creator of "Second Life," issued the following statement in response to Kirk's press conference, indicating that:
"Members of the Second Life community, including Linden Lab staff, actively monitor against minors accessing the (adult portion of the) service."
Source: By Tech Ex
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
