Should you have to show your ID to watch porn online? 

A proposal introduced in the State Legislature this month would require it. 

If it passes, Washington will join over 20 states that already require age verification.

Critics have said the law makes users vulnerable to data breaches and that content about LGBTQ people can be flagged as sexual, instead of educational, among other issues. 

So far, the bill hasn’t made it out of the House Consumer Protection and Business committee. But meanwhile, the core question remains: What to do about the access kids have to harmful sexual materials on an ever-changing internet? 


Guests

Shauna Sowersby, state politics reporter at The Seattle Times

Nicole McNichols, associate teaching professor at the University of Washington, @nicole_thesexprofessor 

Links

HB 2112 - 2025-26, establishing an age minimum to access certain adult content online

WA age verification bill targets access to online adult content - The Seattle Times

The Age-Gated Internet Is Sweeping the US. Activists Are Fighting Back - Jason Parham, Wired



Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. 

Should you have to show your ID to watch porn online?&nbsp;
A proposal introduced in the State Legislature this month would require it.&nbsp;
If it passes, Washington will join over 20 states that already require age verification.
Critics have said the law makes users vulnerable to data breaches and that content about LGBTQ people can be flagged as sexual, instead of educational, among other issues.&nbsp;
So far, the bill hasn&rsquo;t made it out of the House Consumer Protection and Business committee. But meanwhile, the core question remains: What to do about the access kids have to harmful sexual materials on an ever-changing internet?&nbsp;
 Guests
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/author/shauna-sowersby/">Shauna Sowersby</a>, state politics reporter at The Seattle Times
Nicole McNichols, associate teaching professor at the University of Washington, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@nicole_thesexprofessor?lang=en">@nicole_thesexprofessor</a>&nbsp; Links <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=2112&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false">HB 2112 - 2025-26, establishing an age minimum to access certain adult content online</a> <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/wa-age-verification-bill-targets-access-to-online-adult-content/">WA age verification bill targets access to online adult content</a>&nbsp;- The Seattle Times
<a href="https://www.wired.com/story/age-verification-is-sweeping-the-us-activists-are-fighting-back/">The Age-Gated Internet Is Sweeping the US. Activists Are Fighting Back</a> - Jason Parham, Wired 
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.&nbsp;

Soundside

States across the country are age-gating sites with explicit sexual content. But critics have raised concerns about privacy.