Chambana Sun

Mary Miller, the representative for Illinois' 15th Congressional District, has announced her co-introduction of the SCREEN Act. In a Facebook post on March 6, she said that children in the United States are being exposed to online pornography "at an average age of 12."

"Children in America are being exposed to online pornography at an average age of 12," said Miller, U.S. Representative, according to Facebook. "That is appalling. That's why I joined United States Senator Mike Lee in introducing the SCREEN Act in the House to hold pornographic sites accountable and protect our kids. It's time for action!"

According to a news release from U.S. Senator Mike Lee's office, he introduced the Shielding Children’s Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (SCREEN) Act on February 26. The release highlights that since the Supreme Court last addressed this issue, blocking and filtering software have allowed 80% of teens to be exposed to online pornography. This exposure is said to contribute to psychological issues, unhealthy sexual behaviors, and societal harm. The bill has garnered support from several organizations including the National Center on Sexual Exploitation and Heritage Action.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Mary Miller's March 6 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Mary Miller's Facebook page

Miller is leading the companion bill in the House of Representatives. "As a mother of seven and grandmother to 20, I am committed to defending parental rights," she said in a news release announcing Senator Lee’s new bill. Miller added that she is proud to join Senator Mike Lee in introducing the SCREEN Act to provide parents with more control over their children's online access and protect them from exposure to pornography. She urged her colleagues in the House to act swiftly in adopting the SCREEN Act.

The proposed legislation requires platforms to implement technology verification measures ensuring minors cannot access harmful content. According to the bill text, covered platforms include interactive computer services involved in interstate or foreign commerce that create or host content deemed harmful to minors.

Miller currently serves in Congress representing Illinois' 15th District after succeeding John Shimkus in 2021. She holds a BA from Eastern Illinois University and was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1959. Now residing in Oakland at age 63, Miller manages her fourth-generation family farm with her husband.