What the US PornHub ‘ban’ is really about
What the US PornHub ‘ban’ is really about
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.
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It's a classic tactic, use a somewhat legitimate concern (Minors having access to pornography). And blow it far out of proportion, and use it as an excuse to crackdown on what you're really after. You will see people defending these bans because the "reasoning" they're being presented SEEMS rational, but unwittingly they're supporting a mass crackdown on their own rights.
See also: The constant push by governments to take away our right to private (encrypted) communications.
ItS tO prOteCT the CHILDRen's comMUNIcaTIoN.
yeah no for sure and that's why we should all install spyware onto our phones. there's no "switch in the settings" to turn it off. (for a recent example, see the EU commission's newest proposals.)
somewhat legitimate concern (Minors having access to pornography).
Counterpoint: accessing pornography is part of growing up.
There's A LOT of unhealthy porn, especially for kids. Especially for kids with no sex education. It's also easier for them to get addicted.
You could also say alcohol is part of growing up, because for many it is.
There’s A LOT of unhealthy porn, especially for kids. Especially for kids with no sex education.
Which is why comprehensive sex ed is so important.
Yeah, but the people banning porn are also banning sex Ed, so definitely seems more about control/abuse of power than concern for kids.
An oppressed and suppressed population is easier to control
Literally 1984
Honestly learned more (and better) sex ed from porn than school. hentai specifically i could see putting age restrictions on, shit is horrifyingly accessible and has no semblance of consent as a concept.
Hentai is just drawn porn. Not all of it is rape stuff, and there's loads of rape/incest/abuse roleplay in live action porn too.
Like spitting in an open asshole? Lets face it, the industry is pretty fucked up.
Just so I'm clear, porn should be available and these laws are privacy and security nightmares.
So, to an extent sure, I don't think it's some horrible thing for simply moralistic reasons, everyone has to discover their sexuality one way or another. However, I do think maybe having an entire digital library of smut dumped in your lap the moment you have access to a smartphone and some private time is probably not good for your sexual development. Ideally we'd just have parents/guardians use some common sense and take advantage of parental controls to limit access. But, we both know that many are neglectful or simply busy with trying to make ends meet to constantly monitor these things. Is the right answer government intervention? I'm personally more than a little skeptical, but I can see why some people see it as a valid concern.
But the old ways of stumbling across smut are gone now. No finding someone's porno mag stash, or accessing uncensored porn on the illegal cable box, or reading the smut novels at the grocery store checkout, or the porn VHS section behind the bead curtain at Family Video....
I am just wondering in which age you grew up. Most millennial (like me) had access to a digital library of smut while growing up, and I certainly made use of it.
Won't someone pleeeeeease think of the children!