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Age verification for porn; why it doesn't work; what does
4 months ago
<3 If I may have a moment of your precious time ... <3 Throughout history, people have tried to protect children from many "dangerous" media. Video games, Dungeons and Dragons, rap music, comic books, jazz music. And yes, porn.
These days, measures requiring age verification to access pornographic content are popping up in state legislatures across the United States. Legislation of this sort does not function as advertised. Experience has shown us that forcing porn consumers to verify their age has no substantial effect on sexual violence or aggression in minors, nor does this requirement increase healthy sexual behavior in the population. Instead, such laws push adult content consumers to seek out riskier alternatives or find ways to circumvent the laws while financially burdening creators and distributors. These laws infringe upon our right to privacy, free speech, and parents' rights without benefit. They shift the rightful duty of guidance and supervision of our children away from parents and onto the consumer, government, and law enforcement.
Studies have shown that sexual violence is decreased not through criminalization, censorship, and control, but through empathy, mental wellness, education, and healthy relationships. If we want to present sex to our children in a healthy way, then we need sex education that is comprehensive and age-appropriate. We need critical thinking skills so our children can learn to distinguish harmful from non-harmful sexual behaviors. And we need gender-affirming care and institutions that are inclusive of our children's emergent sexual identities. This is the humane path, the path to sexual wellness.
If you see these age verification measures brought up in your state legislature, call your representatives and urge them to oppose. You are welcome to use some or all of this post in your messaging. You may also want to read up on the topic, so here are some useful articles you can check out.
Sexual Violence Prevention Resource for Action
https://www.cdc.gov/violence-preven.....source_508.pdf
Study: Age-Verification Laws Don't Work
https://reason.com/2025/03/12/study.....aws-dont-work/
Online Age Verification Laws Could Do More Harm Than Good
https://www.scientificamerican.com/.....-laws-privacy/
Studying Sexual Aggression: A Review of the Evolution and Validity of Laboratory Paradigms
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5902808/
And, while this isn't specifically about porn, this podcast has a fantastic breakdown of the concept and history of moral panic, which is VERY relevant.
Podcast: The Folk Devil Made Me Do It - Code Switch
https://www.npr.org/2021/08/20/1029.....-made-me-do-it
Stay sharp, my lovelies!
~ Lekheelay
These days, measures requiring age verification to access pornographic content are popping up in state legislatures across the United States. Legislation of this sort does not function as advertised. Experience has shown us that forcing porn consumers to verify their age has no substantial effect on sexual violence or aggression in minors, nor does this requirement increase healthy sexual behavior in the population. Instead, such laws push adult content consumers to seek out riskier alternatives or find ways to circumvent the laws while financially burdening creators and distributors. These laws infringe upon our right to privacy, free speech, and parents' rights without benefit. They shift the rightful duty of guidance and supervision of our children away from parents and onto the consumer, government, and law enforcement.
Studies have shown that sexual violence is decreased not through criminalization, censorship, and control, but through empathy, mental wellness, education, and healthy relationships. If we want to present sex to our children in a healthy way, then we need sex education that is comprehensive and age-appropriate. We need critical thinking skills so our children can learn to distinguish harmful from non-harmful sexual behaviors. And we need gender-affirming care and institutions that are inclusive of our children's emergent sexual identities. This is the humane path, the path to sexual wellness.
If you see these age verification measures brought up in your state legislature, call your representatives and urge them to oppose. You are welcome to use some or all of this post in your messaging. You may also want to read up on the topic, so here are some useful articles you can check out.
Sexual Violence Prevention Resource for Action
https://www.cdc.gov/violence-preven.....source_508.pdf
Study: Age-Verification Laws Don't Work
https://reason.com/2025/03/12/study.....aws-dont-work/
Online Age Verification Laws Could Do More Harm Than Good
https://www.scientificamerican.com/.....-laws-privacy/
Studying Sexual Aggression: A Review of the Evolution and Validity of Laboratory Paradigms
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5902808/
And, while this isn't specifically about porn, this podcast has a fantastic breakdown of the concept and history of moral panic, which is VERY relevant.
Podcast: The Folk Devil Made Me Do It - Code Switch
https://www.npr.org/2021/08/20/1029.....-made-me-do-it
Stay sharp, my lovelies!
~ Lekheelay
