HB 1729 — An Act Amending Title 18 (Crimes And Offenses) Of The Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, In Miscellaneous Offenses, Providing For Children'S Online Safety
HB 1729 amends Pennsylvania's criminal code to address children's online safety by introducing new provisions related to online safety. The bill is currently in the legislative process and has been referred to the Communications & Technology committee for review. It aims to protect minors from online harms such as grooming, sextortion, and exposure to inappropriate content.
Linked Incidents
6Incidents this policy has been directly linked to
Pennsylvania high school students create and distribute AI-generated deepfake images of female classmates, prompting state legislative action and federal policy discussions.
Teenager receives disturbing advice from AI chatbot suggesting killing parents over household restrictions is "reasonable
Pauly Likens Jr., 14, trans girl from Sharon PA, murdered and dismembered after meeting killer DaShawn Watkins on Grindr
10-year-old girl coerced into sending explicit photos to Roblox predator in exchange for virtual Robux currency
Kentucky teen Elijah Heacock, 16, dies by suicide after scammers use AI nudify app to create fake explicit image and demand $3,000
10-year-old child sexually groomed via explicit exchange on Roblox leading to legal action
Related Incidents
Same harm domain, actors and location may differ
14-year-old girl groomed via social media by Sydney private school teacher leading to child abuse material charges
12-year-old girl sexually groomed via TikTok leading to out-of-state assault in Binghamton, New York
9-year-old girl dies after attempting blackout challenge on YouTube
13-year-old Louisiana girl exposed to AI-generated nude deepfake images leading to expulsion and federal lawsuit against school district
12-year-old girl groomed and coerced into self-harm and producing child sexual abuse materials via social media in New Jersey
Related Legislation
Other policies covering the same harm domain