This study analyzes the purpose and contents of the Communications Decency
Act of 1996 and the Child On-line Protection Act of 1998, and assesses their
effectiveness. It suggests that these two acts would not protect network
users from inappropriate contents, while they have potential risks in
infringing on the rights protected by the First Amendment. This study also
traces back the socio-historical background of both acts, and points out
that they contribute to the interests of the US government, by offering the
government power to identify network users for law enforcement as well as
eliminating their anonymity, rather than their nominal purpose, i.e., to
protect the interests of the minors.
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白田 秀彰 (Shirata Hideaki) 法政大学 社会学部 助教授 (Assistant Professor of Hosei Univ. Faculty of Social Sciences) 法政大学 多摩キャンパス 社会学部棟 917号室 (内線 2450) e-mail: shirata1992@mercury.ne.jp |