As the horizon of digital communication shifts, the pivotal role of social media in shaping societal norms cannot be understated. A recent controversial decision by Elon Musk’s platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has cast a stark spotlight on this reality. Over the weekend, X updated its content guidelines to permit the sharing of consensually produced and distributed adult nudity and sexual behavior, provided it is correctly labeled. Although explicit adult content was never outright banned – and has always been easily accessible. This overt endorsement of pornography on the platform marks a significant departure from conventional community standards, especially in a cultural milieu increasingly grappling with the fallout of widespread pornography addiction and the unethical practices of the adult industry.
This, despite the fact Twitter/X has historically censored center-right posts, podcasters, politicians, alternative media, election deniers and anti-vaxxers all the while quietly allowing hardcore pornography to exist on the site. In Texas, the porn industry may have an understandable legal issue with the double-standard of X being allowed to be an open porn platform without age verification, yet most sites in that industry cannot be accessed without age verification per a recently-passed Texas state law. I fully expect Texas lawmakers to put X squarely in their sites as a target-rich environment for the same age verification requirements they have placed on the porn industry – or expect major legal blowback.
Imagine the millions of Texas residents who use X having to verify age information or being unable to access the platform?
As I have stated in my opinion piece on the TikTok ban, lawmakers who are active on X, now knowing that no age verification exists to for young teens to access porn on X, but yet are outraged at the deterioration of American culture on TikTok (which does not allow hardcore porn) and therefore espouse an outright unconstitutional ban without due process is farcical on its face.
While this new X policy adjustment includes some nominal restrictions, such as prohibiting pornographic profile pictures, the efficacy of these measures in shielding users—particularly minors—from exposure to explicit material remains highly questionable. The grim reality is that facilitating easier access to pornography only intensifies the stranglehold it has on our society. Current statistics underscore this pervasive issue: pornography websites attract more traffic than major platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Netflix combined. Alarmingly, a substantial portion of the American populace engages with internet pornography annually, with 69% of men and 40% of women reported as viewers.
This entrenched habit extends into younger demographics, with more than half of teenagers reporting their first exposure to pornography by age 13. Additionally, a significant number of adolescents not only encounter but consistently consume such content. This early exposure has severe implications, as highlighted by pop icon Billie Eilish, who publicly lamented the detrimental effects of her own early encounters with pornographic material. The trend is disturbing, with many teenagers learning about sexual conduct, communication with partners, and even their sexual preferences from these misguided depictions, often resulting in skewed perceptions and unhealthy expectations.
Tragically, the broader societal issue is exacerbated by the exploitative nature of the pornography industry. Instances of sex trafficking by adult sites like Pornhub, forced labor, and coercion of participants are not isolated incidents but pervasive problems. The industry’s predatory practices target vulnerable women, often trapping them in legally binding yet deceitful contracts. Moreover, there are well-documented cases of child exploitation and trafficking within this realm, a grim testament to the sector’s moral bankruptcy.
The ramifications of these acts extend far beyond individual harm, permeating the fabric of our society. Prolonged exposure to pornography is associated with higher rates of divorce, teenage pregnancies, and mental health issues such as depression. As if to amplify the moral blindness, the industry blatantly targets the youth, evidenced by its resistance to implementing age verification measures, as seen in its retreat from states like Utah and Texas, which have legislated these protections.
In this context, the decision by X to formally endorse pornographic content is not just ill-conceived but fundamentally aligns against the pledged virtues of community well-being and ethical governance. As public concern mounts, it becomes increasingly crucial for platforms wielding significant social influence to be held accountable for their role in perpetuating harmful practices. The new age policy adopted by X stands at odds with the necessary ethic of responsibility, further embedding the societal vice it claims to regulate. It calls for a moment of reflection on the part of both the custodians of digital platforms and their users—posing the essential question of what standards are we willing to uphold in our interconnected world.
