Our children should not be less protected than others
Amid so much troubling news out of Trenton, I do want to share a measure of encouragement on another issue that remains a top priority for the New Jersey Family Policy Center. On June 11, the Senate Judiciary Committee posted S1826 for discussion. This bill would require age verification for online pornography. Similar laws have already been enacted in 25 other states, making the protection of children from online pornography one of the few bipartisan efforts happening across the country.
We applaud and strongly support the intent of S1826. At the same time, we submitted several recommendations to strengthen the bill’s language, so it more closely aligns with the successful models used in other states. Children in New Jersey should not be less protected than children elsewhere.
The good news is that our state has the opportunity to join a growing national movement to protect children online. But to do that, the bill must be stronger, clearer, and more enforceable.
I have been in regular contact with the office of the primary sponsor, Senator Troy Singleton (D), to discuss these proposed amendments in greater detail. In the Assembly, a separate bill sponsored by Assemblyman Jay Webber (R) already incorporates much of the language we have recommended. Our shared goal is to help craft a version that both chambers can support, and one that truly addresses this issue. While we expect this ongoing conversation to take months, we are grateful that the Legislature is willing to take this seriously, especially as many states shy away from even holding a discussion on it at all.
As we continue navigating these critical issues in Trenton, your financial support equips us to stand firm, speak clearly, and advocate for New Jersey families with both courage and grace. Make a gift today to strengthen this work and ensure we can continue showing up when it matters most.
