RS30588 / S1163

The proposed legislation seeks to fulfill the Governor's compelling interest in protecting children from exposure to harmful material online, while not overburdening free speech. This is accomplished by requiring manufacturers of internet-capable devices to install and activate technology that enables parents to make filtering decisions for their children. This legislation recognizes the serious harm that comes to children from online pornography exposure and allows the government to encourage the use of filters and empower parents to determine what internet materials is appropriate for their children to access (Ashcoft v. ACLU, 542, U.S. 656, 670) (2004). Without this legislation, it is not possible for parents to effectively protect their children from the massive amounts of harmful material inundating them online. This is because both mobile and computer devices are capable of connecting to the internet in various ways, each with their own set of filtering limitations. By placing internet filtering requirements at the manufacturer level, devices themselves will be capable of filtering harmful content as they move in and out of different internet networks.

This legislation will have no fiscal impact on the State of Idaho. If there is any miniscule cost involved, it may be passed on to the consumer.

Bill Text

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note

Legislative Co-sponsors

Bill on Idaho Legislature site