“It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble”
– Luke 17:2
It’s no secret that we live in a digital age where almost everything is at our fingertips. This has had both positive and negative impacts on our society and, more importantly, our children. While children have been able to learn, create, and stay in touch with friends online, there have also been some serious concerns about their safety in the unregulated digital world.
Concerned Women for America of Pennsylvania is grateful for the introduction of SB603, Requiring Age Verification for Internet Pornography, sponsored by Sen. Chris Dush (R-District 23). This commonsense bill would require age verification for anyone seeking access to websites containing material harmful to minors.
Pornography is a public health crisis. Currently, minors can download explicit pornography off the internet without proving their age. Consider these alarming statistics:
- 73% of children ages 13–17 have consumed pornography.
- 54% were exposed at age 13 or younger.
- 52% viewed violent pornography, involving choking, pain, or the appearance of rape
Pennsylvania already protects minors from gambling websites through strict verification measures – shouldn’t we do the same to shield them from pornography? Protecting children from the harms of pornography is a critical step in our state. As Sen. Dush states:
“When it comes to protecting children from exposure to pornography, the only verification measure, if any, is clicking a button that says you are 18. Why would we not protect our kids from pornography websites the same way we protect them from gambling? One study finds that the average age a person first views porn is around eleven years old. Another study finds that the average age a person first views porn is around thirteen years old. Our laws to protect children from pornography are clearly not working.”
As of September, 26 states have passed similar age verification laws to protect children from access to major porn sites. We need your help to make Pennsylvania number 27!
Oddly enough, despite its bipartisan support, SB603 has been in the Senate Judiciary Committee since April. It’s time to vote it out of committee!
Action:
- Please contact the following leaders of the Judiciary Committee. Ask them to protect our minors from harmful materials by moving this bill forward to the full Senate for a vote.
Sen. Lisa Baker
Senate Judiciary Majority Chair
R-District 20
(717) 787-7428
Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti
Senate Judiciary Minority Chair
D-District 17
(717) 787-5544
- Thank Sen. Dush for sponsoring this commonsense legislation and his continued stance to protect the innocence of the children of Pennsylvania.
Pray: Heavenly Father, we ask that You guard the hearts and minds of our children from all the negative influences that are so easily accessible. Give our legislators wisdom, clarity, and courage to create strong laws that will keep our children from exploitation and abuse. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and action.
