Pornography has had a devastating effect across our state and nation. It destroys marriages, promotes exploitation, shackles people with addiction, damages mental health, and has every single hallmark of a destructive behavior.
According to a study conducted by Common Sense Media, the average age of first exposure to pornography is just 12 years old. The widespread growth of this problem, particularly among young people, has left many churches, pastors, and Christians everywhere, wondering if there are any practical things we can do to help stop this devasting tidal wave.
While the causes and solutions to this problem are very complex, it was encouraging to see the Alabama Legislature pass a new law earlier in 2025 that requires mobile device manufacturers to have a pornography filtering system automatically switched on, for new smartphones and tablets acquired by minors. In practice, this means that children will be hindered from accessing this material on their devices. This can serve as a tool to help parents when their children get new devices and help limit the early exposure to pornography that is all too common. ALCAP had been advocating for this for three years.
While this is just a first step in helping to address a huge issue, ALCAP is grateful to Senator Clyde Chambliss in the Alabama Senate and Representative Chris Sells in the House for leading the effort in the State Legislature to get Senate Bill 186 passed. In a culture that constantly targets the innocence of children, this legislation is a strong step in the right direction.