Bill > S737

This bill, known as the SCREEN Act (Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net Act), aims to protect minors from accessing pornographic content online by requiring interactive computer services (websites and platforms) to implement technology verification measures that can accurately determine a user's age. The legislation is motivated by findings that existing filtering software is ineffective, with studies showing that 80% of minors aged 12-17 have been exposed to online pornography, and that such exposure can lead to psychological harm including anxiety, addiction, and risky sexual behavior. Under the bill, covered platforms must adopt age verification technology that can reliably prevent minors from accessing harmful content, with platforms having some flexibility in choosing their specific verification methods. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will be responsible for enforcing these requirements, conducting regular audits, and providing guidance to platforms. The bill mandates that platforms protect user data, consult with experts in child safety and technology, and ensures that the verification process is transparent. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will be required to submit a report to Congress within two years analyzing the effectiveness of these measures, compliance rates, and potential societal impacts.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/737/all-info