As a content creator, I’ve come to accept that platforms change. Algorithms shift. Trends evolve. What worked one week might flop the next. But every now and then, something bigger comes along — something that makes us stop and wonder: Are we about to see the internet change in a major way?
Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz around a new bill called the SCREEN Act. It’s a proposal in Congress aiming to prevent minors from viewing explicit adult content online. On the surface, that sounds reasonable — after all, no one wants kids exposed to things they’re not ready for. But the way the bill plans to do this is raising some eyebrows.
What’s being proposed is a form of age verification that could dramatically affect how all of us — not just kids — interact with the internet. And as a creator, that makes me a little uneasy.
Here’s why:
- Who decides what content is considered “explicit” or “harmful” for minors?
Definitions can be vague, and that leaves room for overreach. Could educational material, discussions about identity, or even art be swept up in this? - Will platforms react by tightening their rules across the board?
We’ve seen this before — when one kind of content becomes risky, platforms often cast a wider net to avoid lawsuits or backlash. That puts pressure on creators to censor themselves or risk demonetization, shadowbanning, or even removal. - Could creators be held responsible for who views their content?
We already do our best to label content and follow platform rules. But it’s hard to control who clicks, who watches, or how old someone says they are. Are we now expected to police that too?
This isn’t to say we don’t need better protections for young users online. We absolutely do. But we also need to be careful about how those protections are written into law — and what that means for people who rely on the internet to create, educate, and express themselves.
As someone who creates with care and intention, I worry about being caught in the middle. I’m not here to post shocking or harmful material — but I also want the freedom to speak honestly, to tell stories, and to reach the people who need to hear them. New laws and policies have the potential to change that balance overnight.
Whether the SCREEN Act passes or not, it’s a reminder that content creators aren’t just posting for fun — we’re navigating a complicated, evolving digital space where the rules are rarely clear, and the stakes are often high.