This bill would mandate age verification on the device and in app stores, and would require all online services and websites to block access to mature content.
While well-intentioned, the legislation presents significant policy and legal concerns:
- It violates the First Amendment and other constitutional protections;
- All North Dakota adults would have to prove they were over 18 just to use the internet (apps like browsers, social media, TV streaming, etc.);
- It would be ineffective at preventing access to obscene material.