States are cracking down on online porn—but is it working? The researcher Zeve Sanderson explains how age-verification laws backfire, why teens outsmart them, and what that means for the future of internet regulation. 

Further reading: 

“Do Age-Verification Bills Change Search Behavior? A Pre-Registered Synthetic Control Multiverse,” by David Lang, Zeve Sanderson, et al. 

“The Online Porn Free-for-All Is Coming to an End,” by Marc Novicoff 

Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub.
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Good on Paper

The Atlantic

Can We Stop Kids From Watching Porn?

APR 15, 202550 MIN
Good on Paper

Can We Stop Kids From Watching Porn?

APR 15, 202550 MIN

Description

States are cracking down on online porn—but is it working? The researcher Zeve Sanderson explains how age-verification laws backfire, why teens outsmart them, and what that means for the future of internet regulation. 


Further reading: 


Do Age-Verification Bills Change Search Behavior? A Pre-Registered Synthetic Control Multiverse,” by David Lang, Zeve Sanderson, et al. 


The Online Porn Free-for-All Is Coming to an End,” by Marc Novicoff 


Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices