Zero tolerance for predators
Legislators are taking an increasingly tough stance on known and potential predators with child identification and protection act legislation aimed at tracking abductors and sex offenders. But, remember, protecting innocent children from predators and other dangers these days means more than keeping an eye on them when they are out and about in the big, bad world. Now, predators can virtually walk into a youngster's home via the Internet. Read on for information about protective laws designed to safeguard families against predators.
Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act
On July 27, 2006, President George W. Bush signed into law a piece of legislation designed to protect children everywhere. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, named after the murdered son of "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh, creates a national sex offender registry and makes it a felony for sex offenders to fail to update their information on the registry. The law also enacts stricter penalties for abductions and sex offenses, and beefs up funding for local police agencies' investigations of Internet predators.
COPPA - Child Identification and Protection Act
In addition to the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, other legislation has been enacted to protect children from predators, stiffen penalties for crimes against children and track convicted offenders. Among that legislation is the Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA) addresses Internet child identification and protection. Act highlights include requiring commercial Web site owners in certain circumstances to verify the age of visitors believed to be 13 or under, restricting marketing of some content to minors and outlines a Web site operator's responsibilities when it comes to child identification and protection (act features and highlights in addition to those listed above are readily available online).
Take some time to browse additional articles about Life-Prints' software, as well as our links to information about protective legislation, children's advocacy services and programs for parents and children.