Haley Stevens: “I am proud to introduce, with my colleague from Oregon, a bill which protects children from being strategically targeted…”

“I am proud to introduce, with my colleague from Oregon, a bill which protects children from being strategically targeted by commercial advertising. I was shocked to learn that presently there is no law that restricts companies from purchasing databases which contain information about children. In fact, websites have been brought to my attention that actually sell lists of children as young as pre-school. The thought of companies acquiring lists of information about kids that are barely past the toddler stage is appalling. These companies actually market that the lists can be selected and purchased by sorting according to different age groups. They suggest possible commercial uses for the lists such as for magazines, amusement parks, child care services, etc. One of the websites even points out that many high school students have their own credit cards or have use of their parents' credit cards. The website then suggests that companies could buy these lists so they could market to children various products such as clothing, computers, etc. The bill that we are introducing today will deter entities from selling these lists of personal information about children to be used for commercial purposes.”