House Panel Approves Child-Safe Area on Net

A congressional panel gave the nod last week to a bill that would set up a zone on the Internet free of violence, pornography or other material deemed inappropriate for children.

The bill would direct the operator of the “.us” Internet domain to set up a “.kids” subdomain for Web sites targeting children younger than 13.

Parents would find it easier to screen out sex or violence online by setting their browsers to view only Web sites with addresses ending in “.kids.us,” said Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), whose telecommunications subcommittee unanimously approved the bill.

“It would be like a safe playground with fences around it, Upton said. “This really is no different from the children’s section at the public library.”

Upton said he would push for the full Energy and Commerce Committee to take up the bill by the end of this month.