Tennesseans visiting porn sites could soon be required to verify that they are 18 or older

The Tennessee Senate has approved a measure that would require adult websites to have an age-verification process. Lawmakers say the measure aims to prevent kids from accessing sexually explicit content online.

Sen. Becky Massey, R-Knoxville, is the sponsor of the bill, SB 1792, that just passed the floor. She says exposing children to pornography is a form of child abuse.

Massey believes it should be handled the same way it’s done when going to buy a case of beer.

“We need to apply the same standards in the cyber world that are in place in the physical world,” said Massey. “No one under 18 can walk into an adult establishment or buy adult-oriented materials. We need to broaden this to include the same standards for cyber opportunities.”

Websites whose adult material makes up more than a third of their total content would have to implement an age-verification method for access. 

The bill language lays out what type of content would qualify as harmful to minors:

The above excerpt continues to explain in graphic detail nudity and sex acts that would be age-restricted if the measure passes.

If a website owner violates the proposed law, they’d be subject to a Class C felony.

The House version of the measure is behind the budget, meaning it’ll be considered again once the appropriations bill passes.

At least eight states have already passed age-verification laws for pornography websites. Those include Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Texas, Utah and Virginia.