Sen. Jim Banks introduced a bill requiring age verification on pornographic websites

PERFECT – Republican lawmakers want pornography websites to verify the age of users, arguing that children can access graphic material online with “a few clicks” and that parents need stronger tools to prevent children from pornographic sites.

Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., introduced legislation called the Safety and Age Filtering Enforcement (SAFE) for Kids Act on Tuesday, legislation that would require pornographic websites to implement age verification measures before users can access sexually explicit content.

“Kids shouldn’t be exposed to porn just a few clicks away,” Banks told Fox News Digital in a statement. “The SAFE for Kids Act helps parents protect their children and brings common protections across the country.”

SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS TEXAS LAW REQUIRING AGE VERIFICATION ON PORN WEBSITES

In 2023 national survey by Common Sense Media found that 73% of respondents aged 13–17 had viewed pornography online, and more than half, 54%, said they started viewing pornography when they were 13.

The law, which the bank’s office says is supported by a “broad coalition of organizations and advocates,” including the American Principles Project, Heritage Action, the Institute for Family Studies, the National Decency Coalition, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and Concerned Women for America, would require commercial organizations that distribute pornography online to have their own sites of age.

It also extends enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission on consumer protection law, gives the Justice Department the authority to investigate platforms that intentionally violate the law and allows individuals, including parents and legal guardians, to sue companies or organizations that violate the law.

TEXAS BILL ENFORCES STRONGEST BAN ON NATION’S JUVENILE DETENTION COURTS

Age verification laws are gaining momentum across the US to protect children from online pornography. (Getty Images)

The Common Sense Media survey also found that 15% of youth who responded to the survey said they first viewed pornography online at age 10 or younger, while the average age reported to begin viewing pornography was 12.

Additionally, the survey suggested that pornography may play a major role in the exploration of LGBTQ+ youth, with two-thirds of LGBTQ+ youth respondents saying they view pornography on purpose.

Banks’ office said more than 25 states have enacted age verification requirements for pornographic websites, and highlighted that the Supreme Court upheld these laws in Free Speech Coalition vs. Paxton, “recognizes the government’s interest in protecting children from online pornography.”

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Kevin Roberts, president of Heritage Action, said, “Congress must act now to protect our children from adult content on the Internet. There are no more excuses. While Washington is dragging its feet, children across the country are exposed to lewd, lascivious images and advertisements that have no reasonable safeguards to prevent them. Americans are outraged that their children are being immersed in their hearts and their moral center.”

‘WE WON’: PUBLIC NEWS RELEASES DURING SCOTUS OVER ‘DEADLY BLOW’ ON MINORITY SEX SURGERY

Indiana Rep. Jim Banks speaks during a tour and press conference on March 10, 2025. (MAGN)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

“Parents deserve laws that give them the power to protect their children,” added Roberts. “The SAFE for Kids Act is a necessary solution that will finally hold people and companies accountable if they fail to use reasonable safeguards to prevent children from being exposed to graphic content. Congress has a duty to act, and the time to do so is now.”