The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a Texas law that mandates age verification for accessing adult websites, as decided in the case of Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton. This decision aligns with similar laws in 22 other states and addresses concerns about online pornography being a public health crisis recognized by 16 states.

The American Principles Project (APP), which had organized a rally outside the Supreme Court earlier this year and submitted an amicus brief supporting the law, expressed approval of the ruling. According to APP's poll, 83% of voters support age verification for adult websites.

Terry Schilling, President of APP, commented on the ruling: "Our kids are growing up in an ever-changing digital world that is trying to expose them to hyper-sexualized materials and rob them of their innocence. Pornography has become rampant online, and its effects have been damaging. It lowers our kids’ self-esteem, normalizes sexual violence, distorts relationships and plays a devastating role in the increasing suicide rates. Age verification laws are an important tool to protect our kids from this harmful content, and they hold adult sites responsible for the materials they produce and distribute. I am glad the Supreme Court has stepped up to the plate for our kids so they can grow up in a safer America."

For further engagement with American Principles Project, Cailey Myers can be contacted at 202-503-2010 or cailey@americanprinciplesproject.org.