Gerald Kleczka: “I rise today to point out how our children's privacy is being violated. Last week the Wall Street Journal told how a…”

“I rise today to point out how our children's privacy is being violated. Last week the Wall Street Journal told how a jelly bean manufacturer uses its Web site to pump kids for personal information. Lured by a free sample of jelly beans, children are asked to give this company their name, address, gender, age, and where they shop. The fine print disclaimer states that any information disclosed is the property of the candy maker to use any way it wants. Jelly bean makers are not the only ones taking advantage of our children on the Net. Other on-line sites frequently require children to fill out questionnaires about themselves, their friends, and their family. This practice of prodding children for information on the Web is not only unethical, it is also dangerous. Not only can marketers use this information to further prey on our children, but it also leaves children vulnerable to wrongdoers who can victimize them. The gentleman from New Jersey, Mr. Bob Franks, and I have introduced H.R. 1813, the Personal Information Privacy Act, that would keep critical information about children and their families from becoming fodder for marketers and potential wrongdoers. I urge my colleagues to become a sponsor of H.R. 1813.”