HB 293 violates the First Amendment, burdens users of all ages trying to access common online resources and it would be ineffective at preventing access to obscene material. This bill would immediately invite constitutional challenges. In fact, the Supreme Court has already struck down a similar law after finding it violated First Amendment rights to receive information and to free speech.
While certainly well intended, HB 293 contains several practical flaws. The unlimited risk of lawsuits would likely force device providers to significantly restrict access to popular, benign websites and search services for users of all ages. Further, HB 293 would harm efforts to protect youth users from obscene material, since it fails to address countless internet access avenues while creating a false sense of security for parents.