Rep. Bean's 'Safer Net Act' : An Education-Based Approach to Online Child Safety

Recent legislative efforts to address online child safety concerns seek to regulate websites or restrict online content. Education, not increased governmental regulation, is the most effective method of ensuring online child safety. Educational efforts that teach children to safely navigate online are likely to be more effective than content controls and blocking technology. Educational efforts would also not raise constitutional concerns regarding the First Amendment. When crafting online child safety public awareness and educational campaigns policymakers should consider other successful federal educational initiatives, such as the Smokey the Bear forest fire prevention campaign. Policymakers should also recognize successful online child safety tools and programs established by various private groups and industry initiatives