A proposed federal law requires schools and libraries to make social networking sites inaccessible to minors - and because of its broad definition would also likely affect other sites, such as Blogger.com and AOL, and Yahoo's instant messaging features as well as Xbox 360, writes CNET. House Republicans, including Speaker Dennis Hastert, on Wednesday endorsed the new legislation (pdf), which would restrict access to sites that let users create public "web pages or profiles" and also offer a discussion board, chat room, or e-mail service.

"When children leave the home and go to school or the public library and have access to social-networking sites, we have reason to be concerned," Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), sponsor of the bill, is quoted as saying. Fitzpatrick's bill, called the Deleting Online Predators Act, or DOPA, is apparently part of a Republican effort to address topics that polls show are important to suburban voters.

A group of lawmakers - the "Suburban Caucus" - on Wednesday announced new legislation intended to rally conservative supporters an ensure a Republican majority in the House.