Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online; ECCHO Act
Summary
The "Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online Act" (ECCHO Act) aims to criminalize the coercion of children into committing harmful acts, particularly those facilitated online. It defines specific offenses, including coercing a minor into suicide, violence, or committing acts like doxxing or swatting. The bill amends Title 18 of the United States Code to include these new offenses and specifies penalties for violations.
Expected Effects
The ECCHO Act will create new federal crimes related to the coercion of children. This will likely lead to increased investigation and prosecution of individuals who manipulate minors into carrying out harmful actions. It also expands the scope of existing child exploitation laws to include online coercion.
Potential Benefits
- Provides legal recourse for victims of online coercion and their families.
- Deters individuals from exploiting children for malicious purposes.
- Strengthens existing laws related to child exploitation.
- Offers a clearer legal framework for prosecuting online offenses against children.
- Increases public awareness of the dangers of online coercion.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for overreach in defining "coercion," leading to unintended consequences.
- Challenges in proving intent and causation in online coercion cases.
- Increased burden on law enforcement and the judicial system.
- Possible First Amendment concerns if the definition of coercion is too broad.
- Risk of the law being used to target protected speech or activities.
Constitutional Alignment
The ECCHO Act aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of ensuring domestic tranquility and promoting the general welfare, as stated in the Preamble. However, its potential impact on First Amendment rights related to freedom of speech requires careful consideration. The definitions of "coercion" and "covered acts" must be narrowly tailored to avoid infringing on protected expression. The Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for federal regulation of activities involving interstate commerce, which is relevant to online conduct.
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).