The Influence of Online Pornography Age Verification Laws on Reported Sexual Offenses: A Correlational Study

• In Event: Uncharted Territories in Sexual Violence Research: Pornography, Policy, and Pandemic Impacts

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the relationship between age verification laws for online content and the incidence of sex crimes in the states of Utah, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Virginia. Recent legislative efforts have increasingly mandated age verification mechanisms to restrict access to adult content, with the intent of reducing exposure to harmful material, particularly among minors. However, the broader societal impact of such laws remains unclear. Data/Methods: Using a correlational research design, this study analyzes crime data from the UCR and legislative records to assess whether the implementation of age verification laws has any measurable effect on reported sex crimes in the selected states. Secondly, the study takes a look into an overall national trend in sex crimes and online pornography usage. Time-series regression and correlation analyses are employed to determine potential associations between the enactment of these laws and fluctuations in offenses such as sexual assault, rape, and sodomy. Findings: Preliminary findings to be mentioned. Conclusions/Implications: The study discusses potential explanations, including enforcement challenges, technological circumvention, and shifts in reporting behavior. The findings contribute to the ongoing debate on the efficacy of age verification laws in mitigating sexual offenses and inform future policymaking in digital regulation and crime prevention.

Author

• Chelsie Kuhlman, Keiser University