POLITICS
Court Debates Texas Law on Adult Websites and Minors
Texas, USAWed Jan 15 2025
You're in a room full of the highest judges in the land, debating whether a law in Texas should be allowed to stand. This law is about keeping kids away from adult content online, but it's causing a stir. The porn industry, with the help of a big civil rights group, says this law goes too far. They think it violates the right to free speech for adults. The law says adult websites must check everyone's age, like checking a driver's license. The challengers remind the court of a past case where a similar law was found unconstitutional. Texas, on the other hand, says this law is okay because it's similar to rules for physical adult stores. They say states can protect kids from harmful stuff, and this law is just doing that online. Some judges think the law might be too strict, but others say it could work with some tweaks. The Supreme Court has been busy with this case, with a lower court even making some websites block people in Texas temporarily. The government has weighed in, saying the law could be adjusted to work without violating anyone's rights. The justices are taking their time to think this one through, as it affects both kids' safety and adults' rights to view what they want online.
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questions
If verified by a driver's license, can minors just use a photocopy of their parents' IDs to watch adult content?
How effective is an age verification system in preventing minors from accessing pornographic content, given the available technological workarounds?
Does the Texas law effectively balance the interests of protecting minors and free speech for adults?
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