As of January 1st, websites that have pornographic material must verify a user’s age in Louisiana or face consequences. Metairie Representative Laurie Schlegel, who’s also a licensed counselor, authored House Bill 142 because of the harmful effects pornography can have on children, like depression, and anxiety.
“And they’re more likely to engage in riskier sex, it lessens empathy towards women, it affects intimacy. For girls it can increase victimization, in boy’s aggression,” said Schlegel.
Schlegel said pornography is also tied to two of society’s greatest ills like sexual assault and human trafficking.
She believes age verification should be the gold standard when it comes to pornography which Schlegel said is just a click away and too accessible for children.
“I know other countries are doing this, so Britain has passed laws, France, and Germany where they are putting the standard of age verification. I do think that’s the way we are going to protect the majority of children,” said Schlegel.
Louisiana is the first state to pass such a law and Schlegel hopes to see the issue addressed on a federal level.
“What I’ve been seeing is that obviously the pornography companies are going to be responsible enough to protect our children, so I figure we’re going to have to,” said Schlegel.
Schlegel said accountability will come when companies are sued for allowing minors access to hardcore pornography. She said websites would verify someone’s age in collaboration with LA Wallet.
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