Rep. Laurel Lee delivers remarks in committee. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Her bill would criminalize the act of knowingly coercing child sex abuse material to produce or transmit sexually explicit material — a threat that’s been growing in recent years, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Between 2021 and 2023, NCMEC reports an increase of over 300% in online enticement reports.
In the same period, FBI and Homeland Security investigations revealed 13,000 instances of online blackmail schemes involving minor-related sexual exploitation schemes and at least 20 suicides.
"This legislation ensures that predators who use these threats against children as a weapon can be charged appropriately and sentenced accordingly. No child should ever be placed in a position where they feel trapped, ashamed or hopeless because of an online predator’s threat," Lee said.
Similarly, Biggs' bill, the Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment Act, would expand criminal categories for convincing minors to engage in violent acts against themselves or others.
He noted that whole groups of online predators, such as the 764 Network, aim to convince kids to perform the most violent acts possible — even on child-centric gaming platforms like Roblox and Twitch.
"The conduct of [these] groups does not always fit neatly into existing criminal statutes, potentially jeopardizing prosecutions. My legislation criminalizes compelling or enticing a minor to engage in self-harm, resulting in death, engaging in animal crushing or acts of self-mutilation or self-branding," Biggs said.
The two bills, which passed out of the House Judiciary Committee last Thursday, come as Australia recently banned social media use for its teenagers under the age of 16. The ban applies to YouTube, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch, Threads and Kick. Companies that fail to take steps to prevent usage for kids under the 16-year-old threshold could face up to $50 million in fines.
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Rep. Jamie Raskin speaks to reporters outside the House speaker's office. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Raskin said both pieces of legislation could be stronger, noting that the bill in its current form doesn’t expand criminal provisions to some of the more financially-involved crimes associated with sextortion schemes.
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With lawmakers out for the holidays, the Combating Online Child Predators Act and the Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment Act won’t receive consideration until the new year. It’s unclear when it may reach the floor for a vote.
Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-moves-protect-children-from-online-predators-australia-clamps-down-social-media