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Old Fears, New Venue: US Congress questions Second Life

Old Fears, New Venue: US Congress questions Second Life

Members of Congress get a look at Second Life and are mystified, fascinated:
Frank Davies

Members of Congress tried to grasp the implications of Second Life, and many reverted to their fears about other online activity - that it can be addictive, or can help sexual predators and terrorists.

"Once a sexual predator gets into a virtual world, how are you going to find him?" asked Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., a former state trooper.

Rosedale said he takes "child protection very seriously," and Second Life tries to keep adults out of Teen Second Life (for kids 13 to 17) and bar minors from the adult grid. He said "vigorous self-policing by the residents" of Second Life helps expose improper behavior.

Rep. Jane Harman, a Democrat from El Segundo, fretted that Islamic terrorists could use Second Life to troll for recruits and even practice attacks in a virtual jihad. "I'm not advocating censorship, but I want to make sure these glorious tools are not abused," she said.

Rosedale said Linden Lab of San Francisco, the makers of Second Life, has cooperated with law enforcement and seen no evidence of activity by terrorists. He also said he suspected that law enforcement had created their own avatars to check out virtual worlds.

Rep. Anne Eshoo, a Palo Alto Democrat, tried to reassure her colleagues that this brave new world was a positive development "with endless possibilities."

posted by Netwoman @ 10:52 AM