The War on Porn Regular Updates about the Assault on The Adult Industry
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Experts have warned that age verification laws could affect access to online content and related work. Preliminary research suggests those effects may be occurring.
Age verification laws vary by state and country, but generally require individuals to provide proof of age, such as a facial scan or government-issued identification, to access certain content. Since 2022, several U.S. states have implemented these laws. Other countries, including the UK, have introduced similar requirements under legislation such as the Online Safety Act.
The sexual freedom nonprofit Woodhull Freedom Foundation reported that approximately one in five sex educators, or 18 percent, say these laws have already affected their work. Among sex educators working in states with age verification requirements, one in three, or 33 percent, reported an impact.
Approximately 60 respondents completed the survey last month. While the sample size is limited, the findings indicate potential effects of age verification measures.
“Age-verification laws are already impacting sex education in the U.S.,” said Woodhull president and CEO Ricci Joy Levy in a press release.
The majority of surveyed sex educators, 73 percent, said they are concerned these laws will affect their work. Additionally, 76 percent said they are concerned the laws could be used to restrict access to sex education and related resources. According to Boston University, 37 percent of U.S. states require school sex education to be medically accurate.
“Again and again, we were told this was only about keeping minors from accessing porn,” Levy said. “Woodhull warned these vague and overly broad policies would also result in censorship of vital, non-explicit information about sex and gender, and the data bear this out. The current age-verification protocols are ripe for abuse, and educators are right to be scared.”
Separate research from adult industry research firm SWR Data reported similar findings regarding adult content creators. Nearly half, 45.2 percent, of 500 respondents surveyed last fall said their income from adult work decreased over the past year. Two-thirds, or 63 percent, said it became more difficult to earn money during that period.
There are several possible explanations for these trends, including broader economic conditions. However, 98 percent of creators who reported decreased income said they experienced challenges related to what they described as the “War on Porn.”
The term “War on Porn” is used to describe a range of efforts to limit or remove adult content online, including age verification laws. Project 2025, a policy proposal associated with President Donald Trump’s second term, includes provisions calling for a ban on pornography and legal penalties for creators. In 2024, Russell Vought, a co-author of Project 2025 and director of the Office of Management and Budget, described age verification as a “back door” to a broader ban.
Most surveyed creators who reported income loss also cited increased social media restrictions and limitations on the content they can sell. Some also reported that users have had difficulty accessing their content.
Difficulties with access were reported particularly among creators operating in U.S. and UK markets, according to SWR Data. The research also noted ongoing issues with piracy, suggesting that some users may be bypassing age verification systems.
Two separate studies conducted last year found that age verification laws have not consistently prevented minors from accessing adult content. Factors cited include the use of virtual private networks and access to non-compliant websites. The findings indicate that while age verification measures are in place, their effectiveness and broader impact continue to be evaluated.
