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Bill

Bill

S 737

SCREEN Act

119th Congress Introduced by Jim Banks and 4 co-sponsors

The SCREEN Act would require interactive services that host pornographic content to use age-verification technology to restrict minor access.

Introduced in Senate
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 737

Summary of Bill S. 737: The SCREEN Act

Bill Number: S. 737
Title: Shielding Children’s Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net Act (SCREEN Act)
Status: Introduced in Senate
Introduced: February 26, 2025
Sponsors:
- Mike Lee (Primary)
- John Curtis (Cosponsor)
- Jim Banks (Cosponsor)
Related Bills: HR 1623 (Companion Bill)

Purpose and Intent

The SCREEN Act aims to enhance the protection of minors from accessing online pornographic content by requiring certain interactive computer services to implement technology verification measures. The bill is rooted in the belief that existing methods, such as blocking and filtering software, have proven ineffective in preventing minors from accessing harmful content.

Key Provisions

  1. Age Verification Requirement:

    • The bill mandates that interactive computer services, which create, host, or make available pornographic content, must adopt technology to verify that users are not minors.

  2. Definition of Covered Platforms:

    • A "covered platform" is defined as any entity engaged in interstate or foreign commerce that regularly creates, hosts, or makes available content deemed harmful to minors for profit.

  3. Findings and Sense of Congress:

    • The bill outlines findings that highlight the ineffectiveness of current protective measures and the psychological impacts of online pornography on minors. It emphasizes the need for new policies that leverage technological advancements for age verification.

  4. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Role:

    • The bill designates the FTC as the overseeing body responsible for enforcing compliance with the age verification requirements.

Impact

  • Who Would Be Affected:

    • The legislation primarily targets interactive computer services that provide pornographic content. This includes social media platforms, websites, and other online services that may inadvertently allow minors access to harmful material.

  • Public Health Considerations:

    • The bill is positioned as a response to growing concerns about the public health implications of pornography exposure on minors, which has been recognized by several states.

Procedural Aspects

  • Legislative Process:
    • The bill was introduced in the Senate on February 26, 2025, and has been read twice before being referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for further consideration.

Conclusion

The SCREEN Act represents a legislative effort to address the challenges of protecting minors from online pornography through the implementation of age verification technologies. By mandating these measures, the bill seeks to create a safer online environment for children while acknowledging the limitations of previous legislative attempts in this area.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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