Legislative efforts to implement age verification technology on pornography websites to protect children from explicit content online are gaining momentum in seventeen states, with more looking to follow suit. The ultimate goal is to work with the next president to make this a national requirement. Sen. Mike Lee has introduced the SCREEN Act, which would direct the FCC to establish a rule requiring certain websites to adopt age verification technology, as studies have shown the unique negative effects pornography has on minors. The aim is to prevent companies from profiting off of children viewing explicit content and to address the impact on minors’ mental health and behavior.
Terry Schilling of the American Principles Project has been working with legislators across the country to advocate for this policy. He believes that children are especially vulnerable to the dangers of online pornography as they spend more time on the internet. Schilling argues that some explicit content on adult websites, including that involving cartoon characters, is akin to tobacco companies targeting minors with flavored products. He points to recent controversies involving Pornhub hosting sex trafficking videos and child pornography as further evidence of the need for action to protect children from harmful content online.
Despite past legal challenges to legislation aimed at restricting children’s access to online porn, there is a growing belief that a national law could be on the horizon. Congress has been unsuccessful in passing many laws in this area that have been invalidated by the Supreme Court for not meeting First Amendment standards. However, Schilling remains optimistic that as he continues to testify in various states, it will be acknowledged that obscenity is not protected under the First Amendment, paving the way for a national law to protect children from explicit online content.
The motivating factor behind these efforts to require age verification on pornography websites is to shield children from the potential psychological effects of consuming explicit material. Studies have shown that exposure to pornography at a young age can lead to anxiety, addiction, low self-esteem, body-image disorders, and an increase in risky sexual behavior among minors. Lawmakers and advocates argue that it is crucial to protect children from these negative consequences and prevent porn companies from exploiting minors for profit.
While progress has been made at the state level, the push for a national law may face challenges, as evidenced by past legal battles and the need to navigate First Amendment protections. Nonetheless, the momentum for stricter regulations on pornography websites to protect children appears to be growing, with advocates like Schilling and Lee leading the charge. By focusing on the unique harm that the proliferation of explicit content online poses to children, they hope to garner broader support for measures to safeguard minors from the dangers of online pornography.
In conclusion, the movement to require age verification technology on pornography websites in order to protect children from explicit content is gaining traction. Advocates are working with lawmakers at both the state and federal levels to address the negative impacts of pornography on minors’ mental health and behavior. Despite legal challenges in the past, there is optimism that a national law could be on the horizon to ensure that children are shielded from harmful content online. As the conversation around restricting children’s access to online pornography continues, the focus on safeguarding children from the psychological effects of explicit material remains at the forefront of the legislative push.
