Lindsey Graham - Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Lindsey Graham - Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on the Judiciary | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing titled "Children’s Safety in the Digital Era: Strengthening Protections and Addressing Legal Gaps." The focus was on the rising issue of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) online. Reports to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline have surged from 415,650 in 2012 to over 32 million by 2022.
Durbin highlighted past efforts by the committee, stating, “Almost exactly two years ago, this Committee held a similar hearing where we heard from six witnesses about the harms social media does to our kids and grandkids.” He emphasized bipartisan cooperation in addressing these issues: “[Two years ago], the Committee reported five bills that would help protect kids online.”
The senator acknowledged that while no legislation can entirely eliminate risks online, they represent progress. “Now let’s be clear, none of these bills are the silver bullet that would make the internet completely safe for our kids,” he said.
Durbin also discussed previous hearings with tech CEOs and noted some companies made improvements under scrutiny. However, he asserted that more action is needed: “Apologies and too-little-too-late reforms are simply not enough.”
He expressed determination to pass new legislation holding tech companies accountable: “I’m under no illusion that it will be easy to pass legislation to protect kids online and finally make the tech industry legally accountable for the damage they cause.”
Durbin announced plans to reintroduce his STOP CSAM Act and work with other senators on a bill affecting Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This section currently provides legal immunity to tech companies but has been criticized as outdated.
In addition to his STOP CSAM Act, Durbin's leadership saw several bipartisan bills aimed at protecting children online being reported unanimously by the committee. These include measures like the EARN IT Act and SHIELD Act which target legal immunities and nonconsensual distribution of sexual imagery respectively.
The ongoing challenge remains significant as highlighted by Durbin: “The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children receives 100,000 reports to its CyberTipline every single day.” He urged Congress to take decisive action.
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