Thwarting Sex Offenders From Preying On Social Web SitesThwarting Sex Offenders From Preying On Social Web Sites

Virginia Attorney General Robert McDonnell is proposing to block sexual offenders from using the Internet's popular online social networking sites by requiring the offenders to register their e-mail addresses and instant messaging screen names. The proposal was immediately endorsed by MySpace.com.

McDonnell noted that his proposal, which would apply to the state's 13,500 registered sex offenders, would have to be approved by Virginia's General Assembly.

McDonnell's plan, announced this week, calls for the state to first obtain sex offenders' high tech addresses before turning them over to social networking sites like MySpace, which would then block usage of their sites by the predators.

The Virginia plan is a variation of national legislation proposed last week by Sens. Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and John McCain (R-Ariz.), who want all U.S. sex offenders to disclose their e-mail addresses to law enforcement agencies. In turn, the addresses would be turned over to social networking sites.

In related news, South Dakota's Department of Corrections reported Tuesday that it will use GPS technology to keep track of the state's 1,200 registered sex offenders. The Corrections Department has awarded a contract to iSECUREtrac, which provides electronic monitoring services. The iSECUREtrac technology would provide location data and alert authorities of offenders' movements.

Similar GPS tracking programs are in effect in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Massachusetts.