Posted by Carl
When I first read about the proposed bill in Michigan aiming to block online adult content and even ban VPNs, I had mixed feelings. On one hand, it sounds extreme. On the other hand, maybe this is the kind of shake-up we actually need to start fixing what has become a very toxic internet culture. Let’s be honest, the online world has been spiraling for years, and a lot of us see it every day. This bill, while controversial, is shining a light on something that has been ignored for too long: the internet isn’t safe, and it isn’t healthy anymore.
The Scope of the Bill
This bill isn’t just about cutting off obvious adult websites. It extends to AI-generated explicit content, manga that depicts sexual themes, and even controversial portrayals of transgender individuals. To prevent people from sidestepping it, the proposal also calls for blocking VPNs—tools that allow people to mask their location and bypass restrictions. If you think about it, that’s a massive net being cast over how we consume digital media. Some say it’s overreaching, others say it’s long overdue.
Why This Could Be a Good Thing
I’ve been saying for years that sites like X (formerly Twitter) are ground zero for a lot of the mess we see online. They talk a big game about community safety but then allow pornographic material to be pushed right onto the main feed. I log in, and it’s right there, no filter. It makes no sense to me why a site that calls itself “Republican-leaning” is filled with the very content conservatives usually rally against. That hypocrisy is staggering.
Instagram isn’t much better. It’s become one of the biggest hubs for overly revealing photos that target younger and younger audiences. And Pinterest, of all places, has started slipping in material that most of us would never have expected to see there. These platforms are all trying to hook users with shock value because clicks equal money. Meanwhile, the rest of us are stuck with feeds full of content that we never asked for and never wanted.
The Problem With Half-Measures
Lawmakers and tech companies love to say they’re “cracking down” on harmful content, but it always feels like lip service. They go halfway, restrict a little here and there, but never actually fix the issue. Why? Because it hurts their bottom line. If people stop clicking, they stop making money. That’s the real reason these platforms don’t clean up. They don’t care about creating safe communities; they care about ad revenue and market dominance.
That’s why, as much as this Michigan bill feels like a sledgehammer, maybe that’s what it will take. Something drastic enough to shake the foundations and force the internet back toward being a healthier place. A place where we can log on, have conversations, share ideas, and learn something without being bombarded by filth.
Beyond Adult Content
What I’d like to see—and what I hope something like this bill could lead to—is a real crackdown on all the toxicity. Not just porn. We’ve all seen the channels that exist just to trash people, tear down reputations, or spread harmful gossip. This does just as much damage to the online environment as adult content does. It fuels hate, depression, and endless drama. If we’re talking about making the internet healthier, then these destructive corners of the web need to be addressed too.
Building a Safer Space
At the end of the day, the internet should serve as a space for learning, connection, and growth. That’s what it was supposed to be. Instead, it’s turned into a marketplace where clicks are king, and people will degrade themselves—or others—just for attention. If lawmakers really want to make a difference, they should broaden the scope: tackle not just the explicit, but also the harmful and toxic. If Michigan is willing to start this conversation, maybe other states will follow.
I know there are going to be critics who say this infringes on freedom of speech. And I get that argument. But freedom without boundaries quickly turns into chaos. Right now, the internet feels like chaos. You can’t tell me that kids growing up surrounded by porn, hate, and gossip are going to turn out better for it. Sometimes society has to draw hard lines to protect its future.
Final Thoughts
Maybe this bill goes too far. Maybe it doesn’t go far enough. But at least it’s forcing us to look in the mirror and ask: what kind of internet do we actually want? Do we want a place that’s dominated by perversion, exploitation, and negativity? Or do we want a space where we can actually enjoy being online without feeling like we’re wading through a swamp? For me, the answer is clear. I’m all for cleaning it up—even if it takes a bold, unpopular move like this one.
—Carl
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