Material harmful to minors; provide for liability for any entity that distributes on the internet without age verification.
Once enacted, SB2346 will significantly adjust the responsibilities of commercial entities operating online platforms. These entities will be held liable if they fail to perform age verification on users attempting to access content classified as 'material harmful to minors'. The law specifies that if a commercial entity violates this provision, they can be held accountable for damages if a minor accesses harmful material. This redefinition of liability could reshape how companies approach content distribution and user verification processes, introducing a new layer of compliance in digital operations.
Senate Bill 2346, known as the Act to Regulate Pornographic Media Exposure to Children, aims to establish regulations regarding the exposure of minors to harmful pornographic materials on the internet. This legislation mandates that commercial entities providing such content must implement robust age verification systems to ensure that minors cannot access this material. The intent behind the bill is to protect children from the negative impacts of pornography, which the legislature associates with issues such as hyper-sexualization, low self-esteem, risky sexual behavior, and difficulty in forming healthy relationships.
The sentiment surrounding SB2346 appears to be mixed, with supporters arguing it is a necessary measure for child protection and critics raising concerns about its potential overreach against free speech and the practical challenges of age verification. Advocates point to the need to mitigate risks that pornography poses to youth, echoing a sentiment of responsibility towards safeguarding children. Conversely, detractors worry that the bill could lead to unintended consequences, such as censorship or wrongful restrictions on access to legitimate content under the guise of protecting minors.
Notable points of contention stem from how the bill defines 'material harmful to minors' and the implications of enforcing age verification. Critics argue the definitions may impose overly broad criteria that could inadvertently censor educational or artistic content deemed inappropriate based on contemporary community standards. Additionally, the effectiveness of age verification methods has raised questions, with concerns over privacy, data retention, and the potential burden this places on smaller entities compared to larger corporations equipped to implement such systems.