SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Today, Common Sense Media CEO and Founder James Steyer issued the following statement regarding the response from Facebook to the questions posed by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) and Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) about the site’s privacy policies and procedures:

“Facebook deserves credit for taking these important bipartisan questions from Congressmen Barton and Markey seriously, and for acknowledging that the protection of personal privacy online must include an industry-wide effort. However, their responses with respect to protecting the personal information of kids through their platforms are underwhelming, and highlight a real need for new laws and guidelines that govern how kids’ personal information is shared online. That’s why we’ve called for a new national ‘Do Not Track Kids policy,’ which includes no transfer of kids’ personal information to third parties and advertisers.”

The Common Sense Media Privacy Campaign launched in October with a challenge for industry, policymakers, educators and parents to protect kids’ privacy online. For more information about the campaign, including asks, tips and advice, and results from Common Sense Media’s nationwide poll of parents and teens, visit www.commonsense.org/privacy.

About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. We exist because our kids are growing up in a culture that profoundly impacts their physical, social, and emotional well-being. We provide families with the advice and media reviews they need in order to make the best choices for their children. Through our education programs and policy efforts, Common Sense Media empowers parents, educators, and young people to become knowledgeable and responsible digital citizens. For more information, go to: www.commonsense.org.

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