Age verification laws designed to block children from online porn sites are sweeping the US, Io Dodds writes. But do they actually protect children, or is there another agenda at work?

Summary

Several U.S. states have enacted laws requiring pornography sites, such as PornHub, to implement age verification to prevent minors’ access, prompting the site’s parent company, Aylo, to block access in affected states.

Proponents argue these laws protect children, while critics highlight privacy risks, inefficiencies, and potential censorship.

These measures reflect growing social conservatism, with some advocates aiming to restrict adult content broadly.

While privacy-focused age verification methods exist, regulatory clarity is lacking.

Critics warn these laws may suppress responsible platforms, favoring unregulated alternatives, and escalate broader culture wars around sexuality and LGBTQ+ rights.

  • TheDemonBuer@lemmy.world
    216·
    3 months ago

    Several U.S. states have enacted laws requiring pornography sites, such as PornHub, to implement age verification to prevent minors’ access

    Doesn’t seem too unreasonable. When I buy alcohol I have to provide verification that I’m over 21.

    The thing is, how do they enforce it? People in those states can still access pornhub through a VPN. Plus, what about all the other many, many porn sites?

    I get what they’re trying to do, but I think there are some logistics that haven’t really been thought out.