Illinois Bill Would Ban Social Networking Sites

Slashdot AlexDVwrites

"Library blogger Michael Stephens is reporting that an Illinois state senator, Matt Murphy (R-27, Palatine), has filed a bill that 'Creates the Social Networking Web site Prohibition Act. Provides that each public library must prohibit access to social networking Web sites on all computers made available to the public in the library. Provides that each public school must prohibit access to social networking Web sites on all computers made available to students in the school.' Here is the bill's full text."

This local effort harks back to an attempt last May to get federal legislation banning school and library use of social networking sites (Wikipedia summary here). The DOPA bill passed the House but died in the Senate.

A lot of people are yelling that this violates the first amendment, but this does not say that the Social Networking sites can't be there, just that School and Public Library computers should not access them. This means that kids are less likely to be able to use them without their parents knowledge, and I think that is a good thing. I also support School and Public Library computers being required to block porno, sites urging violence, etc.