Saratoga Standard

Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh and Senator Jake Ashby are introducing legislation to require pornography websites to verify users' ages, aiming to block access for New Yorkers under 18. This move aligns with similar mandates signed into law by governors in 19 states.

Walsh emphasized the importance of protecting children from harmful exposure online, stating, "In an era where graphic and inappropriate material is just a click away, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to shield our children." She highlighted her past support for the SAFE for Kids Act and the Child Data Protection Act as part of her commitment to children's well-being.

Ashby also stressed the significance of this legislation for children's mental health and future relationships. "In recent years, New York has made positive, bipartisan strides to protect our kids online. We believe this is another important step," he said.

A Pew Research Center study from 2022 revealed that 95% of teens have smartphones. The Age Verification Providers Association reported that 94% of children aged 8-11 routinely access the internet, often without content filtering. Additionally, nearly seven out of ten adolescents have viewed online pornography according to NIH data.

The lawmakers noted that the Supreme Court appears ready to dismiss industry challenges against age verification laws. Justice Alito described these laws as "painless," according to The New York Times.

Ashby remarked on constitutional concerns: “I am not a scholar of constitutional law, but I don’t think James Madison was hoping that children could have unfettered access to hardcore pornography when he crafted the First Amendment.”