There’s a common belief that keeping children safe online is solely the responsibility of parents. “Just monitor their devices,” people say, or “Use parental controls.” While these are important steps, the reality of protecting children from online exploitation is far more complex.
This week, the Supreme Court will hear its most significant case about online protection in two decades, and its outcome will affect every family in America.
Here’s why this matters more than you might think…
The case centers on a Texas law requiring age verification before users can access pornography websites. Since 2021, an organization called Exodus Cry has been calling for laws to protect children from porn exposure by requiring porn sites to use ID-based age verification, ensuring its visitors are 18+. Many states have joined by passing legislation that requires age verification for adult sites.
While this might seem like a simple, common-sense protection (after all, we check IDs for alcohol and tobacco), the pornography industry is fighting to maintain unrestricted access to their content—even by children.
It’s time we take a stand for our children:
- Research shows early exposure to pornography increases vulnerability to sexual victimization
- Children are increasingly experiencing compulsive sexual behaviors due to early exposure
- The average age of first exposure continues to decrease
- Current “solutions” put the entire burden on parents, who are often outpaced by technology
This isn’t just about pornography—it’s about establishing a precedent for protecting children in the digital age. Think of it like this: We don’t let children walk into strip clubs or adult bookstores, so why should they have unrestricted access to the same content online?
The solution being proposed is straightforward: verify that users are adults before allowing access to adult content. This is similar to how we already protect children from purchasing age-restricted products in the physical world.
Here’s what you can do
- Stay informed about this case (FSC v. Paxton)
- Join us in prayer for wisdom for the Supreme Court justices
- Share this information with other parents and concerned citizens
- Support organizations fighting for stronger online protections
The future of child protection online hangs in the balance. Will we continue with the status quo, leaving children vulnerable to exposure to harmful content? Or will we establish reasonable protections that help parents keep their children safe?
Your voice matters in this conversation. Join us in praying for this crucial case and supporting efforts to protect children online. Check to see if your state supports age verification »
The Supreme Court will hear this case on January 15, 2024. A pre-hearing briefing featuring experts, advocates, and survivors will be streamed live on January 14 at 12:00 PM CT at: https://www.youtube.com/live/QcdaPdGrdbM
