By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports
The Idaho Senate passed a bill on Monday evening in a 23-12 vote that would mandate internet filtering requirements be placed on devices to protect children from accessing pornography.
Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, sponsored SB 1253, known as the Children’s Device Protection Act, which would leave smartphone and tablet manufacturers liable for devices activated as of Jan. 1, 2025, if the age verification filter was not turned on and obscene content reached children.
Cook said the filter is already there, the bill just requires it to be enabled. He also stressed that adults could turn the filters off if they want. A similar bill he sponsored failed to pass last year by a single vote.
“It will stop pornography at the filter level, if you turn it on,” Cook said.
Utah passed a similar bill last week, according to Cook.
Sen. Dan Foreman, R-Viola, argued that the bill was infringing on private citizens’ rights.
Other senators questioned whether it was a First Amendment violation.
Sen. Kelly Anthon, R-Burley, said this bill was something the state could do, but the issue revolved around money.
“There is a lot of money to be made on children looking at pornography on (these devices),” said Anthon.
Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle, said he believed that parents should be held accountable for children accessing the content, rather than Samsung.
Herndon said he “welcomed consideration for solutions that hold the right people accountable for this.”
The bill still must pass the House before it becomes law.
Ruth Brown | Producer
Ruth Brown grew up in South Dakota and her first job out of college was covering the South Dakota Legislature. She’s since moved on to Idaho lawmakers. Brown spent 10 years working in print journalism, including newspapers such as the Idaho Statesman and Idaho Press, where she’s covered everything from the correctional system to health care issues. She joined Idaho Reports in 2021 and looks forward to telling stories about how state policy can impact the lives of regular Idahoans.