Pornhub will restrict access in 13 states due to the growing implementation of age-verification laws throughout the country.
A significant shift is on the horizon as 13 states prepare to block access to a popular adult website following the enactment of new regulations targeting social media and various online platforms.
The new legislation mandates specific age verification protocols for platforms featuring adult material. Sixteen states have enacted laws mandating that adult websites verify users’ age to ensure they are at least 18 years old.
While each state’s laws have distinct features, the fundamental idea is consistent: websites containing content considered “harmful to minors” are required to confirm users’ ages using authorized technology or databases.
Kansas has implemented a law that took effect on July 1, requiring websites with a minimum of 25% content deemed “harmful to minors” to establish age verification measures. Supporters claim these actions safeguard the well-being of young ones. Florida’s HB3 mandates a requirement of 33.3%.
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Aylo, the Canadian parent company of a popular adult entertainment site, has announced that it draws in over 115 million daily visitors across its platforms, generating more than 3 billion advertising impressions every day.
A recent announcement from Pornhub indicated that individuals aged 18 to 24 represented the highest percentage of site traffic in 2023, comprising 27% of all visits. Users aged 25 to 34 represented the second-largest demographic, accounting for 24% of the platform’s traffic.
In May, X revised its guidelines to permit adult material.
Before the shift, studies indicated that the site experienced a notable volume of adult content interactions, exceeding even that of a well-known adult platform.
In 2023, findings showcased in the eSafety Commissioner’s online roadmap for age verification technology indicated that 41% of teenagers aged 16 to 18 reported coming across pornography on X, exceeding the 37% who accessed it on specialized adult websites.
X restricts access to those aged 18 and above, yet there are no measures in place to prevent users from misrepresenting their age. Additionally, it remains uncertain whether X would meet the 33.3% age-verification standard mandated in Florida or the 25% standard set in Kansas.
A recent survey highlighted by eSafety revealed that Instagram served as a source of online pornography for 33% of participants, with TikTok at 23% and Reddit at 17%.
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Numerous personal stories can be found on various platforms, with many individuals working alongside aggregating accounts like “PornClubDaily,” which has nearly 500,000 followers and seems to partner with other similar accounts.
Opponents of the law have expressed worries regarding freedom of expression.
Judicial decisions have previously invalidated similar age-verification initiatives, highlighting the excessive obstacles they create for adults seeking access to protected expression. FIRE expressed worries regarding the diminishing of online anonymity, cautioning that the legislation might lead to significant consequences extending beyond Florida.
