Challenges Facing Colorado’s Legislation on Age Verification for Pornography and Social Media Regulations

Colorado lawmakers face opposition to trio of bills aimed at regulating the internet to protect children, with concerns raised about potential infringement on First Amendment rights. Senate Bill 201 aimed at requiring age verification for online porn was killed, as it was likely to be vetoed by Governor Polis. Two other bills focused on social media regulations are also facing potential veto threats.
One of the bills, House Bill 1287, would require age verification and parental controls on social media, while another, Senate Bill 86, has already passed and requires stricter enforcement of platform terms of service and cooperation with law enforcement. Supporters of the latter bill cite concerns about underage users being exposed to harmful content and criminal activity on social media platforms.
Governor Polis has not yet signed the bill, expressing a desire to protect internet freedom while ensuring safety. If he vetoes the bill, supporters believe they could gather enough support for an override.
In the face of opposition and concerns about First Amendment rights, including censorship and government influence over social media platforms, lawmakers plan to revisit the issue next year. They aim to update state laws to reflect the digital age while ensuring the protection of children online. Critics warn of potential dangers of granting social media companies additional power in regulating online content.

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