A proposed federal law would prohibit schools and libraries from allowing access to social networking Web sites or chat rooms. It was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) in May.

The Deleting Online Predators Act would require public schools and libraries to bar minors from "commercial social networking Web sites" and "chat rooms," such as MySpace and Facebook.

The bill defines social networking sites and chat rooms as anything that allows users to "create a profile with detailed personal information," to "keep an online journal" that can be shared with other users, and to "enable communication among users."

The bill passed the House by a 410-15 vote in July and is awaiting a vote in the Senate.

Judith F. Krug, director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and co-founder of the Freedom to Read Foundation, is critical of the effort.

Krug believes that schools and libraries are the best places to educate kids about Internet dangers.

"Where would you want your kids to look at these sites if not in schools and libraries, where there are professionals who understand the Internet and can help kids get out of a situation where they feel uncomfortable online?" Krug asked.

She adds that, by censoring certain Web sites, the government would be keeping information from people who are poor or otherwise don't have Internet access at home.

Micah Clark, executive director of the American Family Association of Indiana, supports the bill. He says there are too many risks, on the Internet and in libraries, to allow public access to all Web sites.

"There have been incidents where sex offenders and pedophiles have used the Internet in libraries to view pornography," Clark said. "There was actually a case where a man pulled a young girl into a bathroom and tried to molest her."