Children First: Ohio House Passes Landmark Bill Against Online Abuse
COLUMBUS, Ohio — In a major move to strengthen child protection online, the Ohio House has passed House Bill 84, also known as the Innocence Act. The legislation is designed to shield children from explicit content and prevent exploitation through digital platforms. Lawmakers and advocates are raising alarms about children’s exposure to pornography and the misuse of artificial intelligence to create child sexual abuse material.
The bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Josh Williams and Steve Demetriou, requires websites with adult content to implement age verification for all users and submit compliance affidavits to the Ohio Attorney General. Platforms that fail to comply could face civil penalties of up to $100,000 per day, giving the state strong enforcement powers to protect children online.
Williams emphasized that children are increasingly vulnerable to harmful content on digital platforms, stating, “House Bill 84 ensures these platforms are held accountable and reinforces our laws while protecting Ohio’s children from obscenity online.” Demetriou added, “This bill says children matter. It says affected persons matter. And it says Ohio is not going to sit back while this harmful content is pushed on our children.”
If signed into law, the Innocence Act would not only protect children from exposure to explicit material but also establish criminal penalties for AI-generated child sexual abuse material, ensuring accountability for emerging online threats. The Attorney General would oversee investigations and enforcement, creating a centralized system for safeguarding children in Ohio’s digital spaces.
Child protection advocates note that as children spend more time online, legislation like HB 84 is essential to extend safeguards from physical spaces to digital ones. By mandating age verification and holding platforms accountable, the bill represents a proactive step toward ensuring Ohio children are safe in both real-world and virtual environments.
HB 84 now moves to the Ohio Senate for consideration before being sent to the governor’s desk, marking an important moment in the state’s efforts to uphold children’s rights and safety in the digital age.
