SAFE for Kids Act

 

SAFE for Kids Act: How the New Federal Age Verification Bill Fits into America's Expanding Online Child Safety Laws

The United States is steadily moving toward stronger regulation of children's online safety. The proposed Safety and Age Filtering Enforcement (SAFE) for Kids Act, introduced by Senator Jim Banks (R-Indiana) in June 2026, is one of several federal and state initiatives aimed at limiting minors' access to online adult content. If enacted, the legislation would establish a nationwide age verification requirement for commercial websites where more than one-third of the content is considered "sexual material harmful to minors."

The proposal reflects a growing bipartisan effort to strengthen online protections for children. Rather than relying on individual state laws, the SAFE for Kids Act seeks to establish a uniform federal standard for age verification nationwide. Websites covered by the legislation would be required to verify a visitor's age before granting access, using methods such as government-issued identification, financial or transactional records, or other reliable verification technologies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would oversee civil enforcement, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) could pursue cases involving knowing violations.

Part of a Broader Child Online Safety Movement

The SAFE for Kids Act is not an isolated proposal. It joins several other major legislative efforts aimed at improving children's online safety.

Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act

The Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2026, focuses on reducing children's exposure to harmful online experiences rather than solely on adult content. Among its objectives are:

• Increasing parental control over children's online accounts.
• Improving the transparency of recommendation algorithms.
• Limiting addictive platform design features.
• Enhancing reporting mechanisms for harmful content.
• Requiring platforms to implement stronger safety measures for minors.

Although still subject to Senate consideration, the bill demonstrates Congress's broader interest in regulating digital platforms for child protection.

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)

One of the oldest U.S. online child protection laws is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which the FTC has enforced since 2000.

COPPA requires websites and online services directed toward children under 13 to:

• Obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information.
• Clearly disclose privacy practices.
• Allow parents to review and delete their children's data.
• Limit unnecessary data collection.

While COPPA focuses primarily on privacy rather than age verification, it established the principle that children's online activities deserve special legal protection.

Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)

Another widely discussed proposal is the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which seeks to impose a "duty of care" on online platforms.

Key provisions include:

• Preventing promotion of self-harm, eating disorders, substance abuse, and exploitation.
• Giving parents better supervision tools.
• Increasing transparency regarding recommendation algorithms.
• Requiring platforms to assess and mitigate risks to minors.

Although KOSA has undergone multiple revisions, it remains one of the most significant federal proposals concerning child online safety.

State-Level Age Verification Laws

Even before federal legislation, more than 25 U.S. states have enacted laws requiring age verification for adult websites. States including:

• Texas
• Louisiana
• Florida
• Georgia
• Arkansas
• Mississippi
• Virginia
• Utah
• North Carolina

require commercial adult-content websites to verify users' ages before granting access. These laws generally rely on government-issued IDs or approved third-party verification providers.

The SAFE for Kids Act would replace this fragmented state-by-state approach with a consistent federal framework.

International Developments

Several countries are adopting similar approaches.

United Kingdom – Online Safety Act

The UK's Online Safety Act requires online platforms to implement highly effective age assurance measures to prevent children from accessing pornography and other harmful material. The law places responsibilities on platforms to assess risks, protect minors, and comply with Ofcom's enforcement.

European Union – Digital Services Act (DSA)

The Digital Services Act (DSA) imposes broader responsibilities on online platforms to reduce illegal content and protect users, including minors. Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) must conduct risk assessments and implement measures to mitigate harms to children.

Australia – Online Safety Act

Australia's Online Safety Act 2021 empowers the eSafety Commissioner to require the removal of harmful online content, investigate digital platforms, and enforce protections against cyber abuse, image-based abuse, and harmful material affecting children.

Privacy Concerns Remain

While the SAFE for Kids Act strengthens child protection, privacy advocates argue that it leaves significant questions unanswered. The bill does not explicitly require:

• Deletion of identity documents after verification.
• Strict limits on data retention.
• Mandatory cybersecurity standards for verification providers.
• Comprehensive breach notification requirements.
• Restrictions on sharing or selling verified identity information.

These concerns are reinforced by recent cybersecurity incidents involving identity verification providers, including breaches affecting government-issued identification documents and sensitive personal information. Privacy experts warn that requiring millions of Americans to submit identity documents could make them valuable targets for cybercriminals if strong data governance requirements are not in place.

Balancing Child Protection and Privacy

The SAFE for Kids Act illustrates the growing challenge facing lawmakers worldwide: protecting children from harmful online content while preserving adults' privacy and freedom online. Most policymakers agree that minors should be shielded from inappropriate material, but debate continues over how age verification should be implemented without creating large databases of sensitive personal information.

As Congress continues to consider the SAFE for Kids Act alongside broader online safety legislation such as the KIDS Act and KOSA, future amendments may seek to strengthen privacy protections by mandating data deletion, establishing stronger security standards, and adopting privacy-preserving age-verification technologies. The ultimate goal is to create a regulatory framework that safeguards children while minimising unnecessary collection and retention of adults' personal information.

Why We Oppose the Promotion of Adult Web Hosting

The internet has transformed the way people communicate, learn, and conduct business. Unfortunately, it has also enabled the rapid expansion of commercial adult-content platforms. While many hosting companies openly advertise "adult web hosting" as a profitable niche, AdultHosting.org believes that promoting infrastructure specifically designed to support the adult-content industry raises significant legal, ethical, cybersecurity, and societal concerns.

Many hosting providers market high-bandwidth servers, anonymous hosting, content delivery networks, and payment solutions specifically for adult businesses. Although these services are often promoted as supporting only "legal adult content," the reality is that the same infrastructure can also be exploited for the distribution of illegal material, non-consensual intimate imagery, deepfake pornography, trafficking-related content, and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Once such content is uploaded and distributed globally, removing it becomes extremely difficult.

Hosting providers have a responsibility that extends beyond providing server space. They play an important role in ensuring that their infrastructure is not misused for activities that violate laws or facilitate exploitation.

Legal Responsibilities Around the World

Countries across the world are strengthening laws governing online content, privacy, and platform accountability. Hosting providers that knowingly facilitate illegal or harmful content may face legal obligations to remove such material and cooperate with authorities.

European Union

The Digital Services Act (DSA) places greater responsibility on online platforms and hosting providers to:

• Remove illegal content promptly once notified.
• Cooperate with competent authorities.
• Increase transparency in moderation practices.
• Reduce systemic online risks.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) also protects individuals whose personal images or data are distributed without consent.

United Kingdom

The Online Safety Act 2023 requires online services to implement measures that reduce exposure to illegal content, including:

• Child sexual abuse material.
• Non-consensual intimate images.
• Content promoting exploitation.

Companies that fail to comply may face substantial financial penalties.

United States

Although Section 230 provides certain protections for online intermediaries, several federal laws impose obligations regarding illegal content, including:

• Child Sexual Abuse Material (18 U.S.C. §§ 2251–2258).
• Federal reporting obligations through the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).
• FOSTA-SESTA, which increases liability for platforms facilitating sex trafficking.

Hosting providers may also be required to comply with lawful takedown requests and criminal investigations.

Australia

Australia's Online Safety Act 2021 empowers the eSafety Commissioner to require the rapid removal of harmful online material, including image-based abuse and child exploitation content.

India

India has strengthened its digital regulatory framework through:

• Information Technology Act, 2000.
• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (where applicable to related offences).
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Intermediaries are expected to act upon lawful notices, preserve evidence where required, and cooperate with law enforcement agencies investigating illegal online content.

Cybersecurity Risks

Adult-content websites are frequently targeted by cybercriminals because they often process sensitive user information and online payments. Common threats include:

• Credential theft
• Ransomware
• Malware distribution
• Phishing campaigns
• Payment fraud
• Identity theft
• Data breaches

Compromised adult websites may also be used to distribute malicious software or redirect users to fraudulent websites, increasing risks for visitors and businesses alike.

Challenges in Content Moderation

While many hosting providers claim they only host legal content, verifying compliance at scale is difficult. Millions of files are uploaded daily across the internet, making manual review impractical. Automated detection systems can help identify known illegal material, but are not perfect and may miss newly created or altered content.

This creates a continuous challenge for providers to distinguish lawful content from illegal or exploitative material while respecting legal processes and users' rights.

Ethical and Social Considerations

AdultHosting.org believes internet infrastructure should prioritise:

• Protection of children.
• Respect for consent and privacy.
• Prevention of online exploitation.
• Responsible digital citizenship.
• Compliance with international laws.
• Support for victims of image-based abuse.

Rather than encouraging the growth of industries that present elevated moderation and abuse risks, we advocate for hosting services that support education, healthcare, innovation, research, business, and community development.

A Call for Responsible Hosting

We recognise that laws governing adult content vary significantly between jurisdictions, and legal adult material may be permitted in many countries. However, legality alone does not eliminate the practical challenges of preventing illegal content, protecting vulnerable individuals, and maintaining a safe online ecosystem.

AdultHosting.org supports:

• Strong age-verification where legally required.
• Rapid removal of illegal content.
• Zero tolerance for child sexual abuse material.
• Action against non-consensual intimate imagery.
• Cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
• Transparent abuse reporting mechanisms.
• Ethical hosting practices that prioritise online safety.

The future of the internet should be built on responsibility, accountability, and respect for human dignity. Hosting providers, website operators, policymakers, and internet users all share a role in creating a safer digital environment where technology serves society without enabling exploitation or abuse.

Promoting a Safer and More Responsible Internet Through the Removal of Illegal Adult Content

 

Prepared by: AdultHosting.org
Date: July 2026

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Executive Summary

AdultHosting.org is committed to creating a safer digital ecosystem by advocating for the identification, reporting, and removal of illegal adult content from the Internet. While lawful adult content exists within many legal jurisdictions, the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), non-consensual intimate imagery, sex trafficking content, and other illegal material remains a significant global challenge.

The objective of AdultHosting.org is not to regulate legal expression but to support internet users, hosting providers, registrars, law enforcement agencies, and online platforms in ensuring that illegal content is removed quickly and responsibly. This aligns with the practices of international organisations such as the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), INHOPE, and other recognised internet safety initiatives.

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Industry Overview

The online adult industry is valued at tens of billions of dollars annually and serves millions of users worldwide. Numerous hosting providers openly permit legal adult websites, provided they comply with applicable laws.

However, virtually every reputable hosting provider maintains strict prohibitions against:

• Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)
• Child exploitation
• Human trafficking
• Non-consensual intimate imagery (revenge pornography)
• Copyright infringement
• Sex trafficking promotion
• Bestiality is prohibited by law
• Illegal pornography

These restrictions are enforced through Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs), Terms of Service, and cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Legitimate providers immediately suspend or terminate accounts involved in illegal activities.

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Current Challenges

Illegal adult content continues to spread through:

• Anonymous hosting services
• Offshore hosting providers
• Compromised websites
• File-sharing platforms
• Private messaging services
• Decentralised distribution networks

Although many platforms employ automated detection technologies, illegal material frequently reappears after removal, making continuous monitoring essential.

The increasing use of AI-generated imagery and encrypted communication channels has further complicated the detection and removal of illegal content, requiring stronger collaboration between technology companies, hosting providers, and law enforcement.

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AdultHosting.org Mission

AdultHosting.org advocates responsible internet governance through:

• Reporting illegal adult content
• Supporting rapid takedown requests
• Encouraging compliance with national and international laws
• Promoting responsible hosting practices
• Educating website owners regarding legal obligations
• Encouraging stronger age verification and consent verification mechanisms
• Supporting victims of online exploitation by facilitating reporting to appropriate authorities

The organisation encourages lawful online publishing while maintaining zero tolerance toward exploitation, abuse, and criminal activity.

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Recommended Best Practices

AdultHosting.org recommends that hosting companies and website operators implement:

Content Moderation

• Continuous monitoring of uploaded content
• Human review for suspicious material
• Automated AI-assisted detection
• Rapid abuse reporting mechanisms

Compliance

• Verification of performer age where legally required
• Record retention in accordance with applicable laws
• Copyright compliance
• Removal of reported illegal material without unnecessary delay

Security

• Identity verification for publishers
• Abuse monitoring systems
• Malware scanning
• Secure hosting infrastructure
• Dedicated abuse response teams

Cooperation

• Work with law enforcement agencies
• Cooperate with hosting providers and registrars
• Participate in recognised reporting networks
• Support victim protection initiatives

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Public Awareness

A significant aspect of combating illegal online content involves educating internet users about:

• Recognizing illegal material
• Avoiding the redistribution of unlawful content
• Reporting suspicious websites
• Protecting children online
• Respecting privacy and consent
• Understanding the legal consequences of distributing illegal material

Public awareness reduces demand for illegal content and supports faster identification of criminal activity.

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Conclusion

The fight against illegal adult content requires cooperation among governments, technology companies, internet service providers, hosting providers, registrars, law enforcement agencies, and the public. AdultHosting.org seeks to contribute to this effort by promoting ethical online practices, supporting lawful reporting mechanisms, and encouraging responsible digital citizenship.

Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, the organisation aims to help build an internet where illegal content is identified quickly, removed efficiently, and prevented from reappearing—while respecting lawful expression, privacy, and the rule of law. International initiatives such as the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), INHOPE, and national safer internet organisations demonstrate that coordinated reporting and rapid removal can significantly reduce the availability of illegal online content.

Compromised government and university websites as clickbait

 Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a growing trend where hackers are compromising government (.gov) and university (.edu) websites to host search-engine-optimised pages using the names of popular adult content creators as clickbait. These malicious pages do not contain the promised content but instead redirect visitors to scam, phishing, or malware websites, or to fraudulent advertising websites. 

Since 2020, this tactic has increased significantly, with more than 2,000 government and educational domains across 80 countries reportedly affected. The findings are based on an analysis of Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown requests submitted by content creators attempting to remove pirated material, which inadvertently exposed many compromised official websites.

The report highlights that while copyright takedown requests help remove malicious pages from search results, cybersecurity experts argue that hacked government and educational websites should primarily be addressed through security incident response rather than copyright enforcement. 

Researchers recommend that administrators continuously monitor their websites for unauthorised content, promptly patch vulnerabilities, strengthen access controls, and implement regular security audits to prevent misuse. The study also emphasises that users should avoid clicking suspicious search results, even when they appear on trusted government or educational domains, as these may lead to scams, malware, or phishing attacks.

AdultHosting.org is committed to supporting a safer and more responsible internet by advocating for the removal of illegal adult content, including child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate imagery, and other content that violates applicable laws. Our mission is to promote ethical online practices, assist in reporting unlawful content to the appropriate authorities and service providers, and encourage a digital environment that respects privacy, consent, and the rule of law. We believe that protecting individuals from exploitation and reducing the spread of illegal content contribute to a safer and more responsible society.