S.737 - Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net Act; SCREEN Act (119th Congress)
Summary
The SCREEN Act aims to protect minors from online pornography by requiring interactive computer services to implement technology verification measures to ensure users are not minors. It mandates that covered platforms use age verification technology, make their verification processes public, and subject IP addresses to verification unless the user is determined to be outside the US. The Act also establishes definitions for key terms like 'harmful to minors' and 'technology verification measure'.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the SCREEN Act would likely lead to increased restrictions on access to online content deemed harmful to minors. Websites hosting such content would need to invest in and implement age verification technologies. This could potentially reduce minors' exposure to pornography but may also raise concerns about data privacy and the effectiveness of age verification methods.
Potential Benefits
- Potential reduction in minors' exposure to online pornography.
- Addresses concerns about the psychological effects of pornography on minors.
- Encourages the development and implementation of age verification technologies.
- Reinforces the government's interest in protecting the well-being of minors.
- May lead to increased parental awareness and involvement in children's online activities.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased data collection and privacy concerns related to age verification.
- Risk of ineffective age verification methods, allowing minors to bypass restrictions.
- Possible burden on smaller websites to implement costly verification technologies.
- Potential for over-blocking or censorship of content.
- Legal challenges based on First Amendment concerns regarding freedom of speech.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Act's constitutionality is questionable, particularly concerning the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech. While the government has a recognized interest in protecting minors, the Supreme Court has historically scrutinized laws restricting speech, requiring them to be narrowly tailored. The Act's broad definitions and potential for over-blocking could face legal challenges. The Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for federal regulation of interstate commerce, which could support the Act's application to interactive computer services.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).