Or state I suppose.
Yesterday I commented that Tennessee is working on a new law that will require sex offenders to carry a special drivers license which will alert law enforcement officials to their registration status. Those sex offenders without a current license will be required to obtain a state identification card with the special identifying capabilities.
Now, it seems that the Governor has been busy signing yet another law- this time dealing directly with the registry itself.
I don't mean to be pessimistic, but I'm really starting to believe that if parents are too lazy to actually check what their children are doing online- they likely aren't going to bother checking their children's online contacts' information with the registry. I mean think about it- if you're keeping an eye on your children's online activities then you'll already know who they are talking to, and what they are talking about.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for providing as much information as possible to the public. I just don't see this making any difference in the lives of those most at danger.
Yesterday I commented that Tennessee is working on a new law that will require sex offenders to carry a special drivers license which will alert law enforcement officials to their registration status. Those sex offenders without a current license will be required to obtain a state identification card with the special identifying capabilities.
Now, it seems that the Governor has been busy signing yet another law- this time dealing directly with the registry itself.
Knoxville Senator Jamie Woodson says, "It's one thing to have an individual's name and home address, but when an abuser can go under the cloak of anonymity, approach a child, get to know that child, and gain some trust with that child it's very alarming."
That's why Senator Jamie Woodson says she decided to sponsor a bill requiring sex offenders to give the state their e-mail addresses and screen names. That information will be included on the registry beginning July 1. A local prosecutor says many sex offenders are already prohibited from the using the internet. For those who are allowed to go online, he says the new law may be less about crime prevention and more about increased punishment.
I don't mean to be pessimistic, but I'm really starting to believe that if parents are too lazy to actually check what their children are doing online- they likely aren't going to bother checking their children's online contacts' information with the registry. I mean think about it- if you're keeping an eye on your children's online activities then you'll already know who they are talking to, and what they are talking about.
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for providing as much information as possible to the public. I just don't see this making any difference in the lives of those most at danger.
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