Kansas targets adult sites over lack of age requirements for access
Four groundbreaking lawsuits have been filed in Kansas, with the aim of holding porn websites accountable for violating state laws that mandate the use of adequate age-verification systems. These lawsuits, filed by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) and a Kansas law firm on behalf of a minor child and the child’s mother, mark a significant step in seeking legal remedies through state age-verification laws for pornographic sites. This is the first time a minor is seeking such legal action in Kansas, highlighting the importance of enforcing age-verification measures on adult websites.
Kansas is one of approximately 20 states that have enacted laws requiring porn sites to implement age-verification systems. Louisiana was the first state to do so in 2023. These laws aim to protect minors from accessing harmful content and ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place to prevent underage individuals from viewing explicit material online.
The lawsuits filed by NCOSE on behalf of a minor child and their mother shed light on the challenges parents face in preventing their children from accessing pornographic websites. Despite the mother’s efforts to safeguard her 14-year-old child, the teenager managed to access these sites using an old laptop. The complaints filed with NCOSE reveal how online algorithms and content-curation processes can lead minors to pornographic websites, posing serious risks to their well-being and development.
Studies have shown the detrimental effects of pornography on children, including disrupting their sexual maturation and increasing the likelihood of exposure to sexual violence. By holding porn sites accountable for failing to implement age-verification mechanisms, these lawsuits seek to protect children from the harmful impacts of explicit content.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach emphasized the importance of enforcing state laws that require porn sites to use age-verification technologies. The lawsuits filed against these sites demonstrate that the legal system is working as intended, holding companies accountable for marketing explicit material to minors.
The lawsuits seek statutory damages of at least $50,000 per violation, along with actual damages, attorney fees, and any additional relief deemed necessary by the court. By taking legal action against porn websites that violate state laws, these lawsuits aim to protect children and prevent them from accessing harmful content online.
In response to the lawsuits, the parent company of one of the pornographic sites, Chaturbate, has defended its age-verification mechanisms, stating that it is fully compliant with Kansas law. However, the plaintiffs argue that these mechanisms can be easily manipulated, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of age-verification measures on adult websites.
Overall, the lawsuits filed in Kansas represent a significant step towards holding porn websites accountable for violating state laws and protecting minors from the harmful effects of explicit content. By seeking legal remedies through age-verification laws, these lawsuits aim to create a safer online environment for children and ensure that companies are held responsible for marketing explicit material to underage individuals.
