Supreme Court Backs Texas Law to Protect Children from Online Pornography Access

On Friday, the Supreme Court upheld a Texas law designed to keep children from accessing online pornography. This ruling is part of a trend, with nearly half of U.S. states enacting similar laws requiring user age verification for adult websites. The rise of smartphones has made it easier for kids to stumble upon explicit material, prompting these legislative efforts.

The court’s ruling was split 6-3, following clear ideological lines. Justice Clarence Thomas, who wrote the majority opinion, stated that the law does not infringe significantly on adults’ free speech. He argued that while adults have the right to access materials restricted for minors, they do not have a First Amendment right to bypass age checks.

In contrast, Justice Elena Kagan, in her dissent, expressed concern. She believed the court should have applied a stricter standard to assess whether the law poses free speech issues for adults. “I believe Texas should provide stronger justification to ensure free expression isn’t undervalued,” she noted.

The ruling has immediate consequences. Pornhub, a leading adult website, announced it would cease operations in states like Texas due to complications from age verification requirements. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton praised the decision, emphasizing that companies must protect children from harmful content.

However, not everyone supports the law. The Free Speech Coalition, representing the adult entertainment industry, argues that the law unfairly burdens adults by forcing them to share personal information that could be vulnerable to cyber threats. Alison Boden, the coalition’s executive director, called the ruling a disaster, noting that kids will find ways around these restrictions despite their existence.

Experts are raising alarms about privacy concerns related to age verification. Samir Jain from the Center for Democracy & Technology highlighted how these requirements threaten both adults’ and children’s access to protected speech online. “The court’s decision alters decades of legal precedent and could limit access to First Amendment-protected content for everyone,” he warned.

Historically, the Supreme Court has been cautious about imposing restrictions on online speech. In 1996, it rejected parts of a law aimed at limiting children’s exposure to explicit material. Again, in 2004, it ruled that less restrictive measures, like content filtering, were valid. Now, Texas believes technology has evolved, making it easier to verify ages through quick checks, similar to ID requirements at adult stores upheld in the 1960s.

While early attempts to block such laws in Indiana and Tennessee were foiled, appeals courts have allowed these measures to move forward. Parents like Rania Mankarious, CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston, see these laws as necessary. She said, “While no system is foolproof, we’re grateful for steps being taken to protect kids.”

In a world where access to information is instantaneous, the balance between protecting children and maintaining free speech rights is delicate. This ruling may set a precedent for more stringent regulations nationwide, prompting further discussions on privacy, safety, and expression in the digital age.

For ongoing coverage of Supreme Court decisions, visit [AP News](https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court).

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