William Bryan: “today the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and I are introducing ``the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act…”

“today the chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and I are introducing ``the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998.'' Commercial Web sites are currently collecting and disseminating personal information collected from children that may compromise their safety and most certainly invades their privacy. This legislation will ensure that commercial Web sites that collect and use personal information from children will have safeguards in place to protect you and your family. The Internet is quickly becoming an significant force in the lives of our children as it moves swiftly into homes and classrooms around the country. Currently more than 3 million children under the age of 18 are online and the number is expected to grow to 15 million by the turn of the century. I think all would agree that proficiency with the Internet is a critical and vital skill that will be necessary for academic achievement in the next century. The benefits of the Internet are extraordinary.”