Washington, D.C. - Congressman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), co-Chairman of the Bi-Partisan Congressional Privacy Caucus, made the following statement today at the Caucus' Forum on Children and Teen Online Privacy.
"In just nine days, millions of children will wake up and run towards the presents awaiting them under the Christmas tree. Kids will tear the wrapping paper off their presents and many will find the latest in technology: iPhones, kindles, computers. It’s what kids want.
"These devices will give millions more kids an unprecedented reach into the Internet. But as kids continue to unveil themselves online, we must ask, will they be protected?
"We spend so much time and resources protecting kids from the visible threats that exist in the offline world: violence, sex abusers, drugs. So why wouldn’t we protect kids from threats in the online world?
"The Do Not Track Kids Act, a bill I introduced with my good friend and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Privacy Caucus, Joe Barton, would strengthen online safeguards for children and teens online. I believe we can all agree on the bill’s four basic principles:
"First, the industry standard for privacy should be Opt-in - especially for kids and teens. Our bill would require companies to get consent from parents before they collect information about kids. And for teens, companies would need to receive the teenager’s consent.
"Second, kids and teens should be able to delete their personal information, with tools like an eraser button. Our bill would allow kids and parents to permanently delete their information if they’ve decided they no longer want it on a website or social network.`
"Third, behavioral marketing to children is inherently unfair and deceptive. Our bill would prohibit advertising that is tailored to kids’ age, gender, and personal information.
"Fourth, websites should have clear and simple privacy policies that help families make smart choices. Our bill requires websites to provide clear and conspicuous notice about what personal information is collected.
"Parents look after kids at home. Teachers monitor kids at school. Coaches supervise kids on the field. Yet, in the online world, a parent, a teacher, or a coach cannot stand over their shoulders at all times. It’s just the kid and the device. For this reason, we must extend the protective bubble in which kids live in the offline world to the online world and provide parents the tools needed to ensure their children at protected online."
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