As technology continues to evolve, bad actors are finding more and more ways to target and harm people, especially children. To combat this, lawmakers on Tuesday introduced three bipartisan bills designed to protect children from violence, sexual abuse, and exploitation online.

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From The Epoch Times:

Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, respectively, introduced the legislation to combat the growing problem and hold criminals accountable.

“Changes in technology have created new opportunities for criminals to harass, exploit, intimidate, and harm American children. These horrific crimes—often committed by violent online groups who take advantage of our nation’s outdated laws—have gone unchecked for far too long,” Grassley said in a statement.

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Durbin made a similar comment, saying, “Because of modern technology, child predators from anywhere in the world can target American kids online. As technology has evolved, so have online child exploiters.”

The Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online (ECCHO) Act promises to introduce a new crime explicitly prohibiting coercing children into harming themselves or others. Those found guilty of this new crime could receive life sentences in cases where children successfully or unsuccessfully attempt suicide, while cases that don’t involve death would see a maximum sentence of 30 years.

The Stop Sextortion Act, meanwhile, would allow law enforcement to target criminals who distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) as a way of manipulating children. It would also increase the maximum penalty for these crimes from 5 years to 10 years.

Lastly, the Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation (SAFE) Act would repeal outdated sentencing for those involved int the creation or distribution of CSAM. According to the Time, the current sentencing guidelines are based on “decades-old legislation” that doesn’t take into account the state of the internet and sexual crimes today, allowing some “nefarious child abusers to skate by with lesser sentences.”

This legislation comes as crimes against children are on the rise. The FBI reportedly warned in March of a sharp increase in such crimes form 764, a group covered previously by IFA, and other groups. Both Senators stressed the need for action, with Senator Durbin saying, “Congress has spent enough time investigating tech platforms’ failures; it’s now time that we deliver for the American people.”

Let’s pray for over this legislation, and let’s pray for an end to the exploitation and abuse of children online!

Share your prayers and scriptures for children online below.

(Excerpt from The Epoch Times. Photo Credit: Maria Sbytova/Canva Teams)