Age-verification technologies and the censorship of online pornography in Canada

A critique of Bill S-210: An Act to Restrict Young Persons’ Online Access to Sexually Explicit Material

Bibliographic Data

ID13086296
AuthorsKyler Chittick (University of Alberta, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume12
Issue3
Pages1-8
Publication date2024-06-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePorn Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2326-8743 • E-ISSN: 2326-8751
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/23268743.2024.2355902
OpenAlexW4399636721
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited19

Written in the style of an opinion editorial, this short article serves as a critical examination of Bill S-210, which proposes to restrict minors' online access to sexually explicit material in Canada through age-verification technologies. Framed within the historical context of obscenity law and the feminist sex wars, the article underscores the impact of censorship and anti-pornography feminism on queer businesses and sexual expressions. Emphasizing the need for comprehensive sexual education rather than increased censorship, it critiques the impracticality of age-verification technologies as well as contemporary cultural anxiety around youth sexuality and the perceived need to 'protect' women and minors from pornography. Urging a re-evaluation of the Bill in light of its broader sociopolitical implications, the article cautions against rash policy decisions that may further stigmatize alternative forms of sexual expression, specifically queer, feminist, and fetish pornographies

Censorship · Context (archaeology · Homosexuality · Human sexuality · Political science · Pornography · Queer · Sexual revolution · Sociology · Gender Studies · Gender, Feminism, and Media · History · Law · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

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