Capitol Letters: Protecting Iowa children from online predators

State Rep. Megan Jones

A generation ago, parents worried about what their children might see at the movie theater or on a magazine rack. Today, a child with a smartphone and an internet connection can access obscene material in seconds. Technology has changed dramatically, and Iowa's laws must keep up.

Research shows children are exposed to online pornography long before they reach adulthood, often unintentionally through social media, pop-up advertisements, or internet searches. Repeated exposure to explicit material at a young age has been connected with unhealthy attitudes toward relationships, distorted views of sexuality, and other negative developmental outcomes. While no law can replace active parenting, government has a legitimate role in ensuring businesses that profit from adult content take reasonable steps to keep it away from minors.

That's exactly what House File 864 does. The new law requires websites and apps where a substantial portion of content, 33% or more, is harmful to minors to verify that users are at least 18 before granting access. That includes segments of social media platforms. Businesses already verify age before selling alcohol, tobacco, and other adult-only products. Websites that profit from obscene material should be expected to meet the same standard.

HF 864 also has safeguards to protect privacy. Websites and third-party age verification providers cannot retain or share personal identifying information collected solely for age verification. These websites must also use reasonable measures to protect any information collected during the verification process.

The new law should face no substantial legal challenges. Earlier this year, the United States Supreme Court upheld a similar Texas age-verification law, recognizing that states have a legitimate interest in protecting children from harmful online content. Iowa joins a growing number of states taking reasonable steps to ensure minors cannot easily access obscene material online.

Parents work hard to protect their children and they shouldn't have to compete alone against billion-dollar websites that make explicit material available with few meaningful safeguards. Iowa families deserve laws that protect children from obscene materials.

Contact Rep. Megan Jones by email: megan.jones@legis.iowa.gov