Internet Violence

Assemblymember Pedro Nava Introduces Resolution Calling on Social Networking Sites to Combat Proliferation of Violent & Inappropriate Online Content

Sacramento- Assemblymember Nava introduced ACR 106, requesting that social networking and video sites combat the proliferation of violent, criminal and inappropriate content and limit access by children. The resolution also calls on the Governor to create a task force to address how to combat the proliferation of violent and inappropriate internet content.

"The internet and the growth of social networking web sites have brought many benefits to our country and the world,” said Nava. “But when the internet is used as a tool to spread violent, graphic and criminal content that children can access, that is unacceptable and can’t be tolerated.”

Recently, attorney generals from 49 states, including California, signed a landmark agreement with social networking site MySpace to create an Internet Safety Technical Task Force to find effective ways to better protect children who use social networking sites.  Thousands of violent videos and inappropriate content for children are accessible via social networking sites. Violent and graphic content on many sites can be accessed very easily by anyone, including children.

In April of this year a Florida youth was the subject of a vicious beating by other youths with the intent to post the video on-line. In March, a Salinas youth was murdered after a video hit list was posted on YouTube. The video was not removed until the Monterey County Herald reporter that wrote a story about the murder, contacted YouTube. Additionally, many sexual predators use the internet in an attempt to lure young victims.

ACR 106

WHEREAS, The Internet, and the explosion of user-generated content Web
sites around the world have provided access to millions of people to communicate with words, photographs, and video content; and
WHEREAS, User-generated content Web sites on the Internet provide access
to all forms and types of content, some of which may be violent, criminal, and inappropriate in nature to minors; and
WHEREAS, Recently, there have been a number of violent acts and threats posted to these Web sites, which have resulted in the murder and injury of persons; and
WHEREAS, Recently, attorneys general from 49 of the United States,
including California, and online safety advocates signed an agreement
to create an industry wide Internet Safety Technical Task Force devoted to finding and developing tools to enhance a safer online experience for children; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THE SENATE THEREOF CONCURRING, That the California Legislature strongly urges user-generated content Web sites to work with the task force, and create and develop tools to enhance a safer online experience for children and the public; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the California Legislature urges user-generated content Web sites to immediately remove violent and criminal content from their Internet Web sites, and proactively enforce their terms of use;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That the California Legislature urges user-generated content Web sites to work with law enforcement to deter, investigate, and prosecute those who utilize their services in the commission of criminal behavior;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the California State Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor and the Chief Executive Officers of all California-based user-generated content Web sites, and to the author for appropriate distribution.