More about DOPA
As an effort to educate myself a bit more about DOPA, here is some information and some links:
The issue is the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA), which would—among other things—require schools and public libraries to bar children from accessing social networking sites like MySpace. Despite widespread concerns about the Act, the US House of Representatives passed it by a 410-15 vote on Thursday.
Some people's thoughts on this:
- Danah Boyd's original post (" This legislation broadly defines social network sites as anything that includes a Profile plus an ability to communicate with strangers. It covers social networking sites, chatrooms, bulletin boards. Obviously, the target is MySpace but most of our industry would be affected. Blogger, Flickr, Odeo, LiveJournal, Xanga, Neopets, MySpace, Facebook, AIM, Yahoo! Groups, MSN Spaces, YouTube, eBaumsworld, Slashdot. It would affect Wikipedia if there wasn't a special clause for non-commercial sites. Because many news sites (NYTimes, CNN, the Post) allow people to login and create profiles and comment, it might affect them too."
- text of amendment (pdf): "To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require recipients of universal service support for schools and libraries to protect minors from commercial social networking websites and chat rooms."
- Library Journal: DOPA Passes House by Wide Margin; ALA Dismayed
- weblogg-ed and their DOPA Letter Wiki
- Ars Technica posts, Dopey DOPA bill passes House and Deleting predators from MySpace
- Cool Cat Teacher: What's Wrong with DOPA
- Tech Crunch: US House: Schools must block MySpace, many other sites
- Good Morning Silicon Valley: All in favor of hysteria, panic and misinformation, say "aye"
more coming...
Some people taking action:
- ALA - Take Action (send an email or fax right now to your senators)
- http://www.mobilize.org/SOS "Because we believe young people, who have grown up with the internet, should be consulted on solutions for internet problems. We want a seat at the table, and feel like we deserve one, especially when it concerns the technology we know so well. Congress, please listen to our suggestions and invite us to the table before your legislation silences the voices of our generation."
more ideas about what we can do are welcome...
Posted by Emily at July 29, 2006 03:34 PM