Missouri wants to make it tougher for children to access pornography online. The state House has given initial approval to a bill that would require websites with at least 33% of material published that is considered “harmful to minors” to verify the users are at least 18 years old.
Bill sponsor, Sherri Gallick, R-Belton, said in today’s digital world, one of the greatest threats to children is online pornography.
“The internet has made pornography more accessible than ever, exposing minors to harmful content that can shape their behaviors, their expectations and even their mental health,” Gallick said.
Rep. Connie Steinmetz, D-Hazelwood, who taught elementary school for nearly 40 years, supports the proposal.
“My district did have firewalls, but these kids are really smart, and they know how to get around it. It interrupted my ability to teach because I was constantly kicking them off of porn sites, and we’re talking about third, fourth, and fifth graders,” said Steinmetz.
Rep. Jeff Myers, R-Warrenton, supports the bill that would also ban the storing of users’ personal information.
“This isn’t your grandfather’s pornography or a dirty magazine,” said Myers. “The stuff that’s out there at the access to the fingertips of our children should have a barrier to get into. Since it’s private sector, it’s on the on that business to make sure that they keep that data secure.”
Rep. Keri Ingle, D-Lee’s Summit, said the bill is “well-intentioned but completely ineffective.”
“This bill makes people feel better about the problem, doesn’t get rid of the problem. Look at what’s happening in the other states,” said Ingle. “It’s driven out the biggest websites. You can still access pornography in all of those states, you just turn off the WiFi.”
Ingle also said she has First Amendment and privacy concerns.
One more House vote of support would send the measure to the Senate for more work.
For more information about House Bill 236, click here.
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