Fact Check: More than a dozen states have enacted similar age verification laws.

Fact Check: "More than a dozen states have enacted similar age verification laws."

What We Know

The claim that "more than a dozen states have enacted similar age verification laws" is supported by multiple sources. As of early 2025, it has been reported that 24 states have passed laws requiring age verification for access to online pornography (source-6). This legislative trend began with Louisiana's law in 2022, which mandated age verification for websites containing a substantial portion of adult content. Following Louisiana's lead, numerous states introduced similar legislation, resulting in eight additional states passing such laws in 2023 alone (source-5).

The Supreme Court recently upheld a Texas law that requires age verification for websites with significant sexual content, further solidifying the legal basis for these state laws (source-1). This ruling has encouraged other states to pursue similar regulations, with reports indicating that 19 states had enacted age verification laws as of January 2025 (source-7).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust. The assertion that more than a dozen states have enacted age verification laws is corroborated by multiple reliable sources. The Age Verification Providers Association notes that as of May 2025, 24 states have implemented such laws (source-6). This number exceeds the threshold of a dozen, validating the claim.

However, it is essential to consider the context and implications of these laws. Critics, including the Free Speech Coalition, argue that these laws may infringe on First Amendment rights and pose risks related to privacy and data security (source-5). The Supreme Court's ruling on the Texas law indicates a significant legal precedent that may influence the enforcement and acceptance of similar laws across the country (source-1).

The sources cited are credible, with the New York Times being a reputable news organization and the Age Verification Providers Association being an established trade group focused on age verification issues. The legislative tracking by the Free Speech Coalition also provides a reliable overview of the current state of age verification laws.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that more than a dozen states have enacted similar age verification laws is accurate, with evidence indicating that 24 states have passed such legislation as of early 2025. The ongoing legal developments and the Supreme Court's recent rulings further support the validity of this claim.

Sources

1. Supreme Court Upholds Texas Law Requiring Age Verification on ...
2. Age Verification Bills - Action Center - Ashcroft v. Free Speech ...
3. States where you need to show ID to access porn sites - Axios
4. US State age verification laws for adult content - AVPA
5. Why Are Adult Sites Going Dark in So Many States?
6. Internet Age-Verification Remains Hot Topic in State Legislatures