Is Internet Sex-Offender Bill a Solid Protective Measure or a Civil Rights No-No?
With such disturbing incidents in mind, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate introduced an Internet sex-offender bill last week that would allow social networking websites to screen for sex offenders. Specifically, this Internet sex crime legislation would require sex offenders to register e-mail and instant message addresses with the government. The Justice Department would then make this information available to social networking sites, according to a story from the Scripps Howard Foundation Wire. According to one of its sponsors, this Internet sex crime bill would also make it illegal for any over 18 years old to represent his or her age with the goal of using the Internet to engage in criminal sexual conduct with a minor. New York Representative Anthony Weiner added that this criminal offense would be punishable for up to 20 years in prison. Under current law, convicted sex offenders must register their online information before leaving prison. While law enforcement can mon
