More US states move to protect kids from online porn

Pornography websites can now be sued if they fail to introduce robust age-verification measures in the US states of Virginia and Mississippi.

Under new laws, sites that a contain a “substantial portion” of pornographic content are required to verify that users are over 18 years old from identification such as a driving licence.

The states follow Utah and Louisiana in implementing similar measures to protect children from accessing inappropriate material.

‘Harmful’

Mississippi officials highlighted several damaging effects of pornography, including an “increase in problematic sexual activity at younger ages” and the promotion of “harmful sexual behaviors and addiction”.

In addition, they found that porn negatively affected “brain development and functioning” and caused difficulty in “forming or maintaining positive, intimate relationships”.

Following the introduction of the laws, Pornhub – one of the world’s largest pornography sites – refused to implement suitable measures and withdrew all access to its website from both states.

Online Safety Bill

Earlier this month, the UK Government announced a review of pornography regulation to tackle any gaps which allow “exploitative, abusive and illegal” online content.

The review, which is not expected to be completed before the end of the year, is set to address the separate regimes covering online and offline pornographic material to ensure that any restrictions are consistently applied.

The Christian Institute’s Ciarán Kelly welcomed steps to introduce robust age-verification measures but called on the Government to also “address known gaps now – for example by prohibiting online content that would be prohibited offline”.

He urged Ministers: “Don’t put off to tomorrow what can be done today”.