October 2023: Age Assurance and Online Pornography
Culture Reframed is the premier science-based, global organization working to stop the emotional, behavioral, and sexual harms of pornography to children and youth. Join our online community to receive updates on our work, announcements of upcoming events, and the latest news related to pornography and youth.
Dear Friends,
As the digital world continues to evolve and pornography becomes easier and easier to access — even among children — the dangerous effects on young people grow more severe. To better understand some of these dangers, read our latest article below, which highlights three of the most common misconceptions pornography teaches young people about sex … and an important way to address these misconceptions.
One way to curtail children’s unfettered access to pornography is through age assurance. I recently researched age verification efforts around the world to explore how the laws vary in different countries. Requiring age verification before accessing a pornography site is a sensible and safe way to protect children from this explicit content.
In just a few weeks, we will host a virtual conference, “The Impact of Pornography on Young People: Research, Practice, and Solutions.” With presentations from experts across a variety of fields, we will explore the many harms of pornography to children with a special focus on child sexual abuse. The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about how we can work together to keep young people safe. We hope you will join us.
Helping Children’s Advocacy Centers Understand the Effects of Pornography Exposure
Amelia Siders, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist who has worked to support children’s advocacy centers (CACs) for over 12 years. She is currently a State Chapter Liaison at the Western Regional Children’s Advocacy Center, focusing on telemental health service implementation. In this conversation, Dr. Siders shares plans for Culture Reframed’s partnership with CACs to protect kids from the dangers associated with exposure to pornography.
Don’t Miss Out! Register for Our Virtual Conference on November 16
Join us on Thursday, November 16 for our virtual event, “The Impact of Pornography on Young People: Research, Practice, and Solutions.” Together, we will explore the many harms of pornography to children with a focus on child sexual abuse. Below, view some of the featured speakers and the critical topics they’ll present on:
- Culture Reframed & CACs: Working Together to Support Child Victims of Abuse, presented by Dr. Amelia Siders
- Understanding Porn’s Impact on Sexual Violence in the Lives of Black Girls, presented by Carolyn M. West, Ph.D.
- Protecting the Vulnerable: How Pornography Affects the Developing Brain, presented by Donald L. Hilton Jr. MD, FAANS, FACS
What Porn Teaches Kids About Sex
The internet has made access to pornography easier than ever, which raises concerns about how it may influence young people’s perceptions of sex. Learn about three common and dangerous examples of the misconceptions pornography teaches young people about sex, and one important way to address these misconceptions.
Hear from Gail
Healthy Screen Habits Podcast: “Talking About Porn With The Best”
Dr. Gail Dines recently joined the Healthy Screen Habits Podcast to share parenting tips on how to talk about pornography with children and resources to combat this public health crisis.
Protecting Children from Online Pornography with Age Assurance
In today’s digital world, there are laws that protect children from age-inappropriate products and activities, such as gambling and alcohol. Online pornography, however, remains largely unregulated, making it easy for anyone to access, including children and teens. In this article, we share highlights from Eric Silverman’s White Paper, “Age Assurance and Online Pornography: A Safe and Sensible Way to Protect Children,” noting the vast difference in regulations and the types of age assurance options that currently exist across the world.
What Others Are Saying
Analysis: Can people of faith embrace a ‘porn-critical’ sex ed curriculum in schools?
Deseret News analyzed Culture Reframed’s new porn-critical sex ed curriculum. (Deseret News)
Pornography driving UK teens towards child abuse material, say experts
Child abuse experts and police are warning that access to increasingly extreme pornography is driving a rise in harmful sexual behaviour among young people, from sexting to watching online child abuse. (The Guardian)
UK children and adults to be safer online as world-leading bill becomes law
The Online Safety Act received Royal Assent, putting rules to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online into law. The new laws take a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children from online harm. (Gov.UK)
Britain Passes Sweeping New Online Safety Law
The far-reaching bill had set off debates about balancing free speech and privacy rights against efforts to halt the spread of harmful content online. (The New York Times)
What Billie Eilish has to do with porn laws
The law requiring pornographic websites to verify the age of users in an effort to keep children and teens from viewing explicit material started with a Louisiana lawmaker seeing an article about pop star Billie Eilish’s interview on the “Howard Stern Show.” (Deseret News)
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