Selfcare & Sexual Wellness
The New War On Porn Is Winning
In the digital age, adult content is just a click away, raising concerns about young Americans stumbling upon it. Many are pushing for age-verification laws as a solution, but detractors believe these rules infringe upon adult privacy and freedoms. This article delves into this U.S.-centered debate, juxtaposing the need to protect the youth with concerns of potential overregulation.
1. The Ubiquity of Online Adult Content: Online platforms make accessing adult content nearly effortless. Schlegel, an advocate for tighter controls, suggests that it’s almost inevitable for children to encounter inappropriate material, usually by the age of 10-12. Common Sense Media’s research supports this notion, revealing that a significant percentage of teens have seen online porn before they turn 13.
2. Understanding the Impact on Youth: The effects of exposure to pornographic material on young minds remain largely uncharted territory. Ethical constraints prevent direct research, leading to a lack of conclusive evidence. Some studies suggest it can heighten sexual aggression and mental health issues in youth, while others indicate it can offer more comprehensive sex education, particularly for LGBTQ youth who may lack other resources.
3. How to Protect the Youth?: There’s a stark divide over the best protective measures. The adult industry favors content filters and enhanced sex education. However, a bipartisan consensus in many state legislatures is pushing for age verification, paralleling it to ID checks for purchasing alcohol.
4. The Legislative Wave: Age-verification bills, regardless of potential constitutional challenges, seem unstoppable due to their popularity. Even legislators aware of potential issues are hesitant to oppose them, often prioritizing child protection over constitutional uncertainties.
5. The Counter-movement: Not everyone is in agreement. The Free Speech Coalition, initially a defense fund for adult companies, has a history of pushing back against anti-porn initiatives. With the rise of age-verification laws, they’ve ramped up their efforts, obtaining legal injunctions in states like Texas.
6. The Larger Picture – Stakeholders and Concerns:
- Individuals: Users like Henson, who enjoy adult content responsibly, resist the laws for privacy reasons. They argue against the potential misuse of personal data and raise concerns about digital security.
- Industry: Smaller adult websites argue the verification process is prohibitively expensive, potentially driving them out of business. They argue it unfairly targets smaller producers, while giants like X (formerly Twitter) remain largely exempt.
- Advocates: Schlegel asserts the adult industry needs regulation due to incidents of illegal content. She aims for broad application without stifling legitimate adult freedom.
7. The Gray Area – When Regulation Might Go Too Far: Many in the industry feel uncertain, fearing overregulation might sweep them up even if they don’t primarily offer adult content. Some feel this is a broader attempt to censor content, not limited to porn but extending to LGBTQ topics, racial issues, and sex education.
Conclusion: While child protection online is of utmost importance, the potential overreach and unintended consequences of age-verification laws present a complex challenge. As the U.S. grapples with the balance between safety and freedom, the question remains: What’s the most effective and equitable way to navigate this digital dilemma?
Latest News
Le Shaw: Byborg Enterprises Unveils Visionary Leaders to Revolutionize Sexual Health Research
LUXEMBOURG, December 6, 2023 — Byborg Enterprises SA proudly announces the appointment of not one, but two distinguished leaders to spearhead its groundbreaking International Sexual Health and Wellness Research Institute. In addition to the industry
luminary Bobbi Bidochka, Dr. Simon Dubé has been named Scientific Director, bringing his expertise in psychology, groundbreaking research in human sexuality, erobotics, and space sexology.
The newly appointed Director of the International Sexual Health and Wellness Research Institute, Bobbi Bidochka, renowned for her multifaceted background spanning academia, business, venture capital, and the SexTech industry, brings unparalleled experience to the role. As the co-chair of The Academic Congress on Love and Sex with Robots and the author of “Sexual Intelligence in Business,” Bobbi is a force of innovation in the field.
Bobbi Bidochka holds a graduate degree in Sex Sociology from the University of Ottawa, and her commitment to transforming public perceptions surrounding Sexual Health and Wellness has been unwavering throughout her career. Recognized as a sex-positive feminist, Bobbi is dedicated to driving positive change in society through open and objective discussions about sexuality.
Dr. Dubé, with a Ph.D. in Psychology from Concordia University and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Kinsey Institute, is renowned for his pioneering contributions to the fields of human sexuality and beyond. His leadership ethos, fostering innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and championing diversity and inclusion, aligns seamlessly with Byborg’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of research in sexual health and wellness.
As Scientific Director, Dr. Dubé will lead collaborations with world-class researchers, focusing on the exploration of sextech, sex work, and sexology. His appointment marks an exciting new chapter in Byborg’s journey, promising a future of groundbreaking discoveries and advancements in the realm of sexual health.
Julianna Adam, Managing Director Operations of Le Shaw’s parent company, Byborg Enterprises SA, expressed enthusiasm about the appointments: “Bobbi’s credentials and history are truly impressive and a great fit for us. We are thrilled to have her and Dr. Dubé spearhead our new Sexual Health and Wellness Institute. Their knowledge and expertise will prove invaluable in helping us reach our goals and provide exceptional care and support to our community.”
Byborg Enterprises SA has recently launched its first-of-its-kind research center, dedicated to merging academic research, in-depth studies, empirical data, and independent funding. In collaboration with prestigious organizations such as the Kinsey Institute, Le Shaw aims to provide objective research that challenges societal norms and removes the social stigma surrounding sexual health topics.
The organization’s main goal is to lead conversations on sensitive questions related to sexuality openly and objectively, directing the discourse towards a more informed, data and science centric, sex-positive world.
For further information, please contact:
Bobbi Bidochka
Email
About Byborg Enterprises:
Byborg Enterprises SA is a premium online entertainment company that is redefining
the future of human interaction and reshaping digital relationships through innovative
technology. Our company was founded with a global mindset, aimed at reaching every
corner of the world. With over 40 million monthly users of our streaming and
technology products, we enable people to interact with each other 24/7.
Selfcare & Sexual Wellness
Sex Toys: A Hidden Source of Toxic Microplastics
A recent study reveals that sex toys are a significant yet overlooked source of microplastics and phthalates, potentially harmful to users. This discovery underscores the need for stricter regulation in the sex toy industry to ensure consumer safety, especially given the intimate nature of these products.
Highlights:
Sex toys release harmful microplastics.
High levels of toxic phthalates were found.
Urgent need for industry regulation.
A new study has brought to light an unexpected source of microplastics and phthalates: sex toys. These findings have raised concerns due to the intimate use of these products and the potential health risks they pose. This revelation calls for increased regulation of the sex toy industry to protect consumers.
Microplastics, tiny plastic debris from consumer and industrial waste, have been found everywhere, from remote mountaintops to ocean depths. Linked to various health issues, their pervasive presence is alarming. Researchers from Duke and Appalachian State universities have now identified sex toys as a personal source of these microplastics.
The researchers found that sex toys can degrade into microplastics and contain phthalates, chemicals linked to health concerns. Despite the taboo surrounding sex in some cultures, the global sex toy market has been growing and is expected to surpass $80 billion by 2030. With such widespread use, consumer safety is paramount, particularly as these products are often used internally.
The study focused on the potential exposure of Americans to hazardous materials through sex toys, posing significant health risks. Four types of sex toys were analyzed: a dual vibrator, an external vibrator, anal beads, and an anal toy. These were tested for nano- and microplastic release using an abrasion machine, which mimics wear and tear.
The findings revealed that the anal toy released the most microplastics, followed by the anal beads, the dual vibrator, and the external vibrator. Spectroscopy identified different materials in each toy, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed high concentrations of phthalates in all toys, with some exceeding the US Consumer Product Safety Commission’s limits for children’s toys.
Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, impacting pregnancy outcomes, child growth, development, and reproductive systems. While children are more susceptible, adults are not immune to these effects. However, research on phthalates’ impact on adults is limited.
This study doesn’t claim to be a comprehensive risk assessment of sex toys but aims to demonstrate the potential for exposure to hazardous substances. It highlights the need for stricter regulation in the sex toy industry, which is often misclassified by the CPSC and exempt from regulation. The researchers advocate for more studies, including tests with bodily fluids and realistic abrasion, to understand the transport and impact of these harmful substances.
The study’s authors will discuss their findings at the 2023 Society for Risk Analysis Annual Conference, hoping to inspire further research and regulatory action. The study was published in the journal Microplastics and Nanoplastics.
Selfcare & Sexual Wellness
Speaker’s Past LGBTQ+ Remarks Ignite Backlash
Mike Johnson, the recently elected Speaker of the House, has been known to express strong anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. Back in 2004, when he was 51, he wrote in a local newspaper from his hometown in Shreveport, Louisiana, that homosexuality was a sign of impending societal disorder and “sexual anarchy.”
CNN uncovered these writings where Johnson depicted homosexuality as “inherently unnatural” and a “dangerous lifestyle” that posed a threat to the democratic fabric of society. He suggested that personal moral judgments, if made outside a common standard, could lead to chaos.
Further writings from 2005 reveal Johnson’s resistance to including sexual orientation and gender identity as protected categories in Shreveport’s anti-discrimination employment policies. He argued that these were lifestyle choices, not intrinsic qualities like race or sex, and should not warrant special legal protection.
Before joining politics, Johnson, as a lawyer, was actively involved in cases against LGBTQ+ rights. He worked with the Alliance Defense Fund (now Alliance Defending Freedom – ADF), a Christian legal group focused on preserving religious freedom and traditional values. The ADF was labeled by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group due to their extremist views and actions, such as supporting the criminalization of consensual LGBTQ+ relationships and the forced sterilization of transgender individuals.
While at the ADF, Johnson opposed the Lawrence v. Texas Supreme Court decision, which invalidated laws against consensual same-sex activities, fearing it would pave the way for the legalization of same-sex marriage – a change that came to pass despite his efforts.
Additionally, Johnson was involved in organizing events opposing anti-gay discrimination protests in schools and established a legal non-profit to champion religious liberty cases.
Since becoming a congressman, Johnson has continued his stance against LGBTQ+ rights, including opposing same-sex marriage legislation and attempting to reverse the Supreme Court’s decision that legalized it.
Now as House Speaker, Johnson’s position gives him considerable power over the legislative process, potentially impacting President Joe Biden’s administration and furthering the Republican Party’s objectives.
Johnson’s office has not commented on these reports.
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