U.S. Supreme Court justices appeared to share concerns over the availability of sexually explicit content to minors that can easily be found online, but expressed worry about a Texas law's wider First Amendment implications.
At issue was the Texas law that mandates adult users of pornographic websites verify their ages — using government identification or other personal documentation — before they can access the material. It's a case that's angered free speech advocates, as well as the adult entertainment industry, and, despite controversy, has inspired other states to pass their own versions of the law.
During arguments for Free Speech Coalition et al. v. Paxton, a majority of justices appeared to agree states can require some limitations on what underage kids can be exposed to. However, there were lingering concerns on the wider implications for other First Amendment rights and of the burdens placed on adults to access material that should be protected by the Constitution.
