Alvord Leads the Way in Protecting Kids from Online Pornography

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Senate passed Senate Bill 1959, authored by Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson. The bill protects children who have been victimized by pornography by insuring that child sexual abuse material is removed from pornographic websites. In addition, the bill creates protections to prevent children from being accidentally exposed to online pornography.

National surveys of U.S. adolescents have found that almost 70 percent report exposure to online pornography, with the initial age of exposure being age 11. The harms of this early exposure are well documented. Studies even connect it to an increase in rape and child trafficking.

SB 1959 also gives parents the ability to block access to pornographic websites. Similar laws are in effect in several states. These are: Arkansas, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Texas, Utah and Virginia.

Oklahoma’s bill protects children without infringing on First Amendment protected speech. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that child pornography and obscenity are not protected by the First Amendment. And, they have held that empowering parents to protect their kids, without restricting adults’ access to protected speech, is constitutional.

“Today the Oklahoma Senate took a stand to protect our kids from online predators and child pornographers,” Alvord said. “It’s tough being a kid – and a parent – these days. These are commonsense protections that will help prevent children from getting exposed and addicted to pornography.”

SB 1959 now heads to the House for consideration.

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Alvord: (405) 521-5607 or Jerry.Alvord@oksenate.gov