Statement from States Attorney Joseph Birkett regarding social network website legislation

“In the past several years, we have seen an explosion in the popularity of social network websites.  Unfortunately, sexual predators see this increase in popularity as an opportunity.  They create fictitious personalities in an effort to elude law enforcement as they attempt to claim more victims.  This proposed legislation will go a long way in protecting an increasingly technology-savvy youth who know their way around a computer but may still be a little naïve and trusting of those they meet on the Internet.  I would like to thank Leader Cross, Representatives Dennis Reboletti, Jim Durkin, Bob Biggins, Jim Meyer and Ruth Munson for their support of this extremely important legislation.  I look forward to working with the Legislature to ensure that our children do not fall victim to these Internet sexual predators.”