Tyler Bridegan Discusses Website Age Verification & Social Media Implications at ABA Midyear Meeting

Womble Bond Dickinson Partner Tyler Bridegan took part in a panel discussion on “Age-Verification of Internet Websites, Including Implications on Social Media Laws” at the American Bar Association’s Midyear Meeting.

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton upheld Texas's House Bill 1181 (H.B. 1181) mandating that certain commercial websites publishing sexually explicit content that is obscene to minors to establish age-verification requirements to ensure visitors are 18 or older. The panelists explored the evolving legal landscape concerning U.S. state efforts to require age verification for websites that include not only websites that include pornographic content, but also children's and teens' use of social media and online platforms.

Joining Bridegan in the discussion were Troutman Pepper Locke Partner Chris Carlson and former Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum.

The ABA Midyear Meeting took place Feb. 5-9 in San Antonio.