Let's discuss SB1682

Welcome to our discussion of ways to protect our kids from predators who prey on them by misusing social networking sites. This online discussion is the byproduct of legislation I filed in the Illinois Senate that, in its current form, would ban social networking sites from public libraries and schools.

I filed this bill for two reasons. First, I want to raise awareness of the threat predators on these sites pose to our kids. Second, I want to advance a dialogue on how we can minimize this threat.

To raise awareness, my office is working with local libraries to provide informational pamphlets that include a contract parents can enter into with their children that explains both parent and child's responsibility for identifying and responding to contact with an online predator. Educating our kids and their parents about how to identify and respond to this threat is the first, and most vital, step in successfully thwarting online predators. Through efforts like these we can provide parents with the tools they need to keep their kids safe at home.

This bill is intended to do more, though.

I want to ensure that we are taking all reasonable, narrowly-tailored steps necessary to protect our kids when the are away from their home and their parents' watchful eye. To do this, we need the input of law enforcement to identify the sites these predators are misusing most so we are not needlessly banning sites that pose no threat. Detective Bob Riordan of the Mt. Prospect Police Department will participate tonight and give us the benefit of his experience. Also, Stacie Rumenap, Executive Director of Stop Child Predators has provided us with a statement as well.

We also need input from our library and school professionals to help us establish best practices and to determine the most practical ways to implement appropriate safety measures. We encourage such comments here tonight.

Please understand, too, that this legislation is not intended as a blanket condemnation of social networking sites or of the efforts made thus far by our libraries and schools to address this threat. I think social networking sites are great. I am not looking to throw the baby out with the bathwater. But, the unfortunate truth is that some among us do misuse some of these sites for evil purposes. We must confront this reality. With that, let me introduce Detective Bob Riordan.

Live Chat Tonight on SB1682

Tonight's live chat with Sen. Matt Murphy on SB1682 will begin at 5:30p. The format will be very similar to a regular townhall meeting. Sen. Murphy will begin the conversation with a few comments on his motivation and rationale for sponsoring this legislation. At that point, he will invite questions and comments from readers. Sen. Murphy will do his best to answer each question before 6:30p and thanks readers in advance for their patience. To view the latest questions and responses, it's recommended that you periodically click refresh (or press F5, the automatic refresh button on your keyboard).

We look forward to your participation in tonight's live chat.

Welcome to Matt Murphy's blog

Recently sworn in as the State Senator for the 27th District, Matt Murphy is already getting to work. In an interview with The Capitol Fax, Senator Murphy said, "I want to do everything I can to advance the agenda of my district. But, to the extent that I can, I also want to have a broader debate about the way we run government in Illinois." To that end, Senator Murphy has sponsored legislation that will reign in government spending by eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy (SJRCA18), protect our children from online predators at public libraries and schools (SB1682), and clean up campaign finances by making political contributions more transparent and elections better organized (SB411 and SB412).

Undoubtedly, the bill that has received the most attention, especially in the blogosphere, is SB1682, commonly referred to as the Social Networking Website Prohibition Act. If passed into law, SB1682 would block social networking Web sites like MySpace and Facebook from public libraries and schools, in what the Chicago Tribune calls "a unique effort on a state level to thwart online sexual predators (2/16/07)." You can read more about SB1682 here and here.

Senator Murphy sponsored this legislation because he wants to ensure our children are better protected when they're not under their parents' watch. He believes public schools and libraries represent a gap in a parent's armor against online dangers faced by their children. Where as parents are able to monitor their children's Web use at home, parents are unable to be effective gatekeepers in public libraries and schools.

Already this legislation has started a positive discussion about how we can best protect our children from online predators. To further that conversation, Senator Murphy will host a live online discussion this Thursday, February 22nd, from 5:30p to 6:30p at this blog. Anyone interested in discussing SB1682 is welcome to join in. Watch this blog for more details to come.