Orrin Hatch: “the Internet has dramatically changed the lives of the American people. The way in which we work, live, play, and learn…”

“the Internet has dramatically changed the lives of the American people. The way in which we work, live, play, and learn has been forever changed. The benefits this new technology has brought to us are truly innumerable. Unfortunately, however, the technology has also created some fearful problems. In particular, the Internet is fast becoming an increasingly popular means by which criminals pursue their nefarious activities. Perhaps no criminal activity is as nefarious as sex crimes directed at children. And alarmingly, the Internet has proved to be a boon for these sexual predators. Before the Internet, these deranged individuals operated in the open, lurking near parks or schools in an effort to lure children. Now they are able, with almost absolute anonymity and from the security of their homes, to reach our children over the Internet. The result is frightening. According to State and local law enforcement officials, the Internet has brought an explosion in sexual predator and child pornography activity. Since 1995, the FBI alone has investigated more than 4,900 cases involving persons traveling interstate for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual relationships with minors and persons involved with the manufacture, dissemination and possession of child pornography.”