Panic World BONUS: The secret plan to outlaw porn in the US (is working)
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Aug 29, 2025 A rising trend sees 21 states banning access to PornHub, stirring debates around censorship and adult content. The podcast dives into the surprising alliances behind these bans, linking them to broader societal moral panics. Topics like the impact on queer communities, celebrity influence on trafficking narratives, and the consequences of ID verification laws are discussed. The implications for privacy and freedom of speech in digital spaces are critically analyzed, all while maintaining a humorous approach to serious issues surrounding sexual expression.
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Moral Panics Drive Overbroad Internet Crackdowns
- Moral panics around porn and trafficking shifted public focus from nuanced harm reduction to sweeping bans.
- The internet's queer and harm-reduction spaces get collateral damage when sites are removed or criminalized.
Backpage Shutdown Pushed Sex Workers Offline
- Backpage served as an online marketplace where sex workers screened clients and managed safety.
- Shutdowns and prosecutions after media and political pressure pushed workers back onto riskier street-level work.
Preserve Online Safety Tools For Sex Workers
- Protect sex workers' safety by preserving online platforms that allow screening and client vetting.
- Prioritize harm-reduction policies over blanket takedowns that push people into danger.
