In an age where smartphones and the internet are more accessible to children than ever before, better guardrails to protect them from unhealthy content are sorely needed. That is why I co-authored Senate Enrolled Act 17, which requires websites where a majority of the content is sexually explicit to verify the age of its users.
While parents can use filters and accountability software to monitor their child's internet access, their success depends on them being active in their children's lives and being able to notice when they outsmart the technology.
Clearly, these methods have not worked, as the average age children are first exposed to pornography is 12 years old.
This early exposure has many negative health effects. It leads to depression and self-esteem issues, it is associated with risky sexual behavior and distorted expectations in adolescence, and it encourages sexism and aggression in boys.
This new age verification law requires sites to use identifying information such as a driver's license to prove the user is at least 18, but also makes sure the site can't retain the identifying information of the user.
Children are always learning. Allowing them to have easy access to explicit material – often before they even go through puberty – is setting them up for failure. The owners of these websites know this and have avoided taking action to prevent children from accessing their websites because they care more about profit than the health of the next generation.
As long as I am in the legislature, however, I will work to ensure we protect children from those who would do them harm.
Indiana will be the eighth state to enact this type of law when it goes into effect July 1.
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State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) represents Senate District 27,
which includes Henry, Union and Wayne counties, and portions of Franklin County.
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