Age Verification Laws: Protecting Kids or Silencing Voices? The Censorship Dilemma in the Digital Age
Age verification laws claim to protect children online, but they often blur into censorship, targeting LGBTQ+ content. These laws endanger free speech and access to information under the guise of safety. From Oklahoma’s SB 1959 to the proposed Kids Online Safety Act, the implications stretch far beyond their intended scope, stifling crucial online discussions.
Hot Take:
Age verification bills: Where “protecting children” and “censorship” go hand in hand like an awkward prom dance. Who knew ensuring safety could involve so much… censorship?
Key Points:
- Age verification laws, marketed as “keeping kids safe online,” threaten free speech by potentially censoring diverse content.
- The Supreme Court case, Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, questions the impact of these laws on adults’ online free speech.
- Vague definitions of harmful content could lead to over-censorship, especially of LGBTQ+ topics.
- Oklahoma’s SB 1959 explicitly targets content related to “homosexuality” under the guise of protecting minors.
- Platforms like Meta have been implicated in censuring LGBTQ+ content, often under the pretense of protecting children.
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