Oklahoma Senator Dusty Deevers has introduced a highly controversial bill, SB593, aiming to criminalize the production, distribution, and possession of pornography in the state. The legislation, presented the day after Inauguration Day, outlines severe penalties for those found guilty, with prison sentences of up to 10 years for offenders.

Deevers, a proponent of conservative family values, argues that the bill is essential to protecting Oklahoma's moral fabric. In a statement accompanying the bill, Deevers described pornography as a "degenerate material" and a "highly addictive drug" that "ruins marriages, ruins lives, destroys innocence, warps young people's perception of the opposite sex, turns women into objects, turns men into objects, degrades human dignity, and corrodes the moral fabric of society." He emphasized that any "decent society" should use the full weight of the law to fight this "plague."

In addition to criminalizing adult content, SB593 includes provisions to impose harsher penalties for "organized pornography trafficking," increasing prison sentences to as much as 30 years. While the bill specifies this increase in penalties, it is unclear whether it refers exclusively to sex trafficking or encompasses a broader range of pornography-related offenses.

A key point of contention within the debate is the issue of addiction. Deevers and his supporters argue that pornography is deeply harmful, but experts point out that "porn addiction" is not recognized as a mental disorder by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Studies by the American Psychological Association (APA) suggest that pornography use can be compulsive but not necessarily addictive. Moreover, a separate study found that individuals who perceive themselves as addicted to pornography may experience increased psychological distress over time, suggesting that it’s the perception of addiction rather than the behavior itself that leads to harm.

This debate also highlights a critical gap in education. Supporters of sex education argue that comprehensive programs could better address the negative effects of pornography by teaching media literacy. Such programs help students understand that pornography is fantasy, not an accurate representation of real-life sex, and can also provide essential education about anatomy and healthy relationships. However, comprehensive sex education has faced setbacks in recent years, particularly during the Trump administration and throughout the pandemic.

Currently, only 36 states and Washington D.C. mandate sex education or HIV education, and Oklahoma falls into the latter category, requiring only HIV education with a focus on abstinence. The state does not mandate teaching healthy relationships, leaving a gap in education about responsible sexual behavior. This context amplifies the concerns about the lack of guidance for young people on how to navigate media consumption and its potential impacts on relationships and self-perception.

SB593 also increases penalties for child sex abuse material (CSAM), imposing prison sentences of 10 to 30 years for those convicted, up from a previous maximum of 20 years. Deevers has proposed several other bills, including measures to abolish abortion, end no-fault divorce, and prohibit Drag Queen Story Hour, signaling a broader conservative agenda aimed at reshaping the social landscape of Oklahoma.

While Deevers' bills are receiving support from conservative groups, they have also faced significant opposition from civil rights advocates, educators, and others concerned about the infringement on personal freedoms. As this issue continues to evolve, it underscores a larger conversation about the role of government in regulating personal behavior, education, and access to information. The tension between moral conservatism and individual liberties is likely to remain a central issue in both Oklahoma and national politics.