The Fight for Online Content Freedom: Why it Matters

Today we dive deep into the discussion about a surprising yet fundamental human right: accessing consensually created and distributed online pornography.

But it’s not just about pornography, it’s about the freedom to access and express content online without unjustified restrictions.

The consensual production and viewing of pornography online is a protected form of sexual expression between consenting adults. Some might laugh at this assertion, but the core of the matter extends beyond pornography—it’s about the universal right to access content freely on the internet.

Years ago, the United Nations declared internet freedom as a fundamental right for human beings. Internet freedom has since been a pivotal aspect of diplomatic strategies for nations that champion human rights and freedom of expression. However, this freedom is currently under threat, especially in the United States. Religious conservatives and far-right populists are pushing to suspend First Amendment protections for content related to LGBTQ+ matters, branding even consensual adult entertainment as obscene.

Countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea already enforce stringent restrictions on web access, blocking content they deem counter-revolutionary, haram, or representative of Western cultural supremacy. The UK has recently passed the Online Safety Bill, a controversial legislation weakening encryption and moderating pornography content through a vague “legal but harmful” doctrine. Similarly, in the United States, states like Florida, Missouri, Texas, and Utah have implemented content restrictions in public institutions, reflecting the hard right's increasing influence.

States like Utah and Arkansas have mandated age verification for mainstream social media platforms, while several others have implemented age verification requirements for adult content. California has passed Assembly Bill 1394, seen as a smaller counterpart to the federal FOSTA statute. In Maine, lawmakers are considering age verification requirements following the partial decriminalization of sex work, a move that risks making the profession even more dangerous.

From social media access to reading materials by LGBTQ+ authors, the freedom to access and consume online content—including legal pornography—is a right that should be protected for all. Restricting access to online materials can have detrimental effects on individuals of all ages, not just adults. In this digital age, it is imperative that we advocate for and safeguard the right to freedom of expression and access on the internet.