STATEHOUSE (March 27, 2024) – Gov. Holcomb recently signed into law legislation sponsored by State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury), which will protect Hoosier children from accessing adult-oriented websites.
According to a National Institutes of Health study, more than 90 percent of boys and more than 60 percent of girls were exposed to internet pornography during their teenage years. The same group reports that exposure to pornography can lead adolescents to risky sexual behavior, sexually transmitted diseases and early pregnancy. King said to help protect children, Senate Enrolled Act 17 will require adult-oriented websites to verify consumers are at least 18 years old before allowing them to access content.
"By adding an age verification check to these websites, we can help protect minors and shield them from the psychological and emotional consequences associated with accessing explicit material," King said. "Young children can develop unhealthy perceptions of relationships and body image, decreased self-esteem, addiction and other issues. This new law is an easy way to help ensure adult content is only accessed by adults."
King said adult-oriented websites will have to verify a user's identity by using methods such as scanning a driver's license, state identification card number, or use of a third-party age verification process. Under the law, the companies will be required to delete users' personal data immediately after verifying their age. The new law also clears the way for parents and the Indiana Attorney General's Office to bring civil action for violations.
Age-verification for adult websites is already required in other states like Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Utah, Virginia, North Carolina and Texas.
To learn more about SEA 17 and other legislation signed into law by the governor, visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/2024-bill-watch.
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State Rep. Joanna King (R-Middlebury) represents House District 49,
which includes a portion of Elkhart County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
