Billie Eilish Testimony Highlights Need to Back Aontú Bill to Ban Access to Hardcore Pornography for Young Children
Speaking on the account of singer Billie Eilish of the damaging impact of pornography upon her at a young age, Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has highlighted the need to pass Aontú’s legislation to curb access to pornography for young children.
An Teachta Tóibín: “I think it is very important that Billie Eilish spoke out about the damaging impact hardcore pornography at just 11 years old. Today eight and nine year olds have access to hard core explicit materials that would have been illegal to be viewed by adults just a generation ago. I have heard of children googling Santa Claus on minute and the next searching for Hard Core Pornography. This disturbing sexual imagery has a toxic effect on our youth: sexualising children, inculcating children with harmful attitudes towards consent and intimacy, causing addiction – the list goes on. Pornography often contains scenes of violence and aggression. There is significant evidence showing that some young children viewing this kind of material will act it out on other children. Research also indicates that pornography can lead to violence against women and children. Indeed, we know of children who have been exposed to thousands of highly graphic images have been involved in aggravated sexual assault and murder. This isn’t just an abstract problem happening to other people, it’s happening to our children. The testimony from Ms Eilish serves to highlight the problem and the need to take action.”
“Aontú has taken the step to try protect our children by introducing a bill that would curtail access to pornography for children. Our Bill will force the government to make regulations that ensure that children in the state cannot view pornographic material on the internet. Our bill also deals with enforcement of the law and offence provisions. This legislation is the first step in the right direction of ending the damaging effects of pornography. However, we have yet to receive the support of any of the three establishment parties for our legislation thus far. This is an issue in urgent need of redress, and the government cannot continue to drag its feet on passing and enacting the legislation. ”
