Combating Online Predators Act
Summary
The "Combating Online Predators Act" (COP Act) aims to prohibit threats to minors, specifically those involving the distribution or creation of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. It amends sections 2252 and 2252A of Title 18 of the United States Code to include threats to distribute such material.
The act targets individuals who knowingly distribute, offer, send, or provide threats to distribute visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, or depictions of individuals believed to be minors, with the intent to coerce the creation or transmission of such depictions.
This legislation passed the House of Representatives on January 12, 2026.
Expected Effects
The COP Act will broaden the scope of existing laws concerning the sexual exploitation of minors by including threats to distribute explicit material. This may lead to increased prosecution of individuals who make such threats online.
It could also deter potential offenders from making these threats, thereby protecting minors from online exploitation. The amendments to Title 18 will likely require law enforcement and the judicial system to adapt to these new provisions.
Potential Benefits
- Strengthened legal protections for minors against online sexual exploitation.
- Increased deterrence of individuals who threaten to distribute explicit material of minors.
- Enhanced ability of law enforcement to prosecute online predators.
- Potential reduction in the creation and distribution of child pornography.
- Clearer legal framework for addressing online threats to minors.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for overly broad interpretation of 'threats,' leading to unintended consequences.
- Increased burden on law enforcement and the judicial system to investigate and prosecute these cases.
- Possible challenges in proving intent in online communications.
- Risk of chilling legitimate online expression due to fear of prosecution.
- The act may not fully address the underlying causes of online predation.
Constitutional Alignment
The Combating Online Predators Act appears to align with the Constitution's broad goals of ensuring domestic tranquility and promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. Specifically, the act's focus on protecting minors from exploitation can be seen as promoting the general welfare.
However, the act's potential impact on freedom of speech, particularly the risk of overly broad interpretation of 'threats,' raises concerns under the First Amendment. The government must ensure that the law is narrowly tailored to address the specific harm it seeks to prevent, without unduly infringing on protected speech.
To ensure constitutional alignment, the act's enforcement should be carefully monitored to prevent the suppression of legitimate expression and to ensure due process for those accused of violating its provisions.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).