Arizona state representative Michelle Udall has introduced a bill that would declare pornography a
public health crisis, saying that the widespread availability of pornograpy to children leads to "low self-esteem, eating disorders, and an increase in problematic sexual activity at ever-younger ages", highlighting, among other things, that pornography "normalizes violence and the abuse of women and children by treating them as objects, increasing the demand for sex trafficking, prostitution, and child porn." The core purpose of the non-binding resolution is to call the public's attention to research showing that pornography is biologically addictive and harmful. 11 states have already issued such formal declarations.
Surprise, Democrats disingenuously oppose the resolution even though it is nothing more than a statement, on the grounds that it lacks teeth. One would think that that would be a call to add teeth to it instead of actually opposing the bill. To that end, Republican state representative Gail Griffin unveiled an additional bill that would install blocking software on all internet-accessing devices sold in the state in the future. This software would render users unable to access sites featuring pornography unless they were willing to prove their age and pay a fee of $20 to the Arizona Commerce Authority.
That would eliminate most porn consumption overnight!
Democrat Pamela Powers Hannley is sponsoring alternative legislation that would focus on providing medically accurate sex education. According to a 2016 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arizona ranks fourth-lowest in the nation in terms of offering comprehensive sex education in the state's middle schools. The only problem I have with this bill is that it's being proposed as an alternative to, rather than a compliment to, Michelle Udall's legislation declaring pornography a public health crisis.
Personally, I'm in support of all of this legislation and wouldn't mind national analogies being passed.