March 9, 2010

ATLANTA (AP) -- Georgia sex offenders could soon be removed from popular online social networking sites.

State Rep. Rob Teilhet is introducing a measure Tuesday that would allow the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to send sex offenders' information to Facebook, MySpace and other sites.

The sites could then remove their information, ban them from creating profiles and notify state authorities of any suspicious activity.

Teilhet, a Smyrna Democrat running for attorney general, said the proposal will help clear the Internet of dangerous child predators.

"The Internet is a powerful social and educational tool for our children. It should not be a danger-zone populated by pedophiles."

A similar proposal has already been adopted in New York and others are being considered in California and Oklahoma.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)