Multiple bills addressing child safety online head to Lee’s desk for signature
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Changes are likely coming for anyone who uses the internet in Tennessee.
The Republican supermajority passed bills requiring age verification for social media, so parents know what their kids are doing. They also want age verification for porn.
It’s called the “Protecting Children from Social Media Act.”
Tennessee moves closer to requiring photo ID to access porn websites
“It’s a small thing we can do to help stem the mental health crisis of youth in our state,” said Rep. Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville).
The bill requires a social media company to verify the age of a person who attempts to make an account, and if they’re a minor, they’ll have to get a parent’s permission.
“The bill will also provide parents a means by which a parent or guardian may supervise a minor’s account, options for the parent to view privacy settings, set daily time restrictions, and implement breaks,” said Sen. Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), a sponsor of the bill.
Companies that don’t follow the law could be sued by Tennessee’s Attorney General. However, not everyone agrees with how the bill addresses child safety online.
Tennessee moves closer to requiring photo ID to access porn websites
One representative questioned data privacy and argued the bill could be harmful to marginalized youth.
“When you talk to LGBTQIA youth who are using Instagram and Snapchat and TikTok to find other youth who are facing similar problems, that this is a barrier to that,” said Rep. Aftyn Behn (D-Nashville), who was one of two Democrats opposed to the bill. “I understand there are issues with how children use social media and the ramifications and the pejorative consequences, but I just don’t think this legislation is equipped and is seriously flawed.”
Another bill on the way to the governor’s desk, called the “Protect Tennessee Minors Act,” would require age verification, like a photo ID, for anyone accessing porn websites. The bill would also make porn websites criminally liable if they don’t verify. A bill sponsor said it’s a means to protect kids online.
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“It can cause damage; it can cause mental health issues, and there’s a lot of data that shows it’s not good for people that are under 18,” said Sen. Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), a sponsor of the bill.
However, Aylo, the parent company for Pornhub, a leader in the adult content industry, contends that legislation of this kind may not effectively protect children and could end up jeopardizing user security.
With these two bills on the governor’s desk, how you use the internet might look very different by this time next year.
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