Local representative sponsors bill requiring age verification on adult websites

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – A local legislator has sponsored a bill that aims to restrict minors from accessing internet pornography.

Representative Patsy Hazelwood says the issue of youth access to child pornography was brought to her by a constituent.

Rep. Hazelwood recalled, “There was a gentleman on Signal Mountain where I live who has upcoming teenage children and he was very concerned about it.”

The Tennessee Protect Minors Act was inspired out of that concern.

The bill, if passed, would require websites with adult content to enforce a verification process.

Rep. Hazelwood said, “We do that in the physical world. Someone under 18 cannot walk into an adult entertainment establishment. They can’t buy certain kinds of materials, but the cyberworld has been a bit of a different story. “

It is important to note that social media websites such as Instagram, X, Facebook, are not subject to these age verification rules.

Representative Hazelwood says that the process for this age verification is going to look similar to other regulated industries in the state of Tennessee.

Rep. Hazelwood said, “I think the best analogy might be sports betting. We have something very similar. You can’t go online on those sports betting websites without providing your proof of age, so it’s a very similar type of requirement.”

She cites a national survey for why this is a growing issue.

Rep. Hazelwood said, “It shows that 73 percent of kids between 13 and 17 in a survey said that they have been on these kinds of websites, and over 50 percent, I believe it’s 53-54 percent said that they have started accessing them at 13 or younger.”

The bill has passed the Tennessee Senate and is awaiting passage in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Representative Hazelwood hopes it can reach the Governor’s desk by the end of this legislative session.