Obscene as to minors

Definition

A legal category of sexually explicit material that states may regulate for children even though the same material is constitutionally protected for adults. Material is obscene as to minors if it appeals to prurient interest for minors, is patently offensive for their age group, and lacks serious value for them—even if it would not be obscene for adults.

Examples

• •A key ambiguity in Texas's law is whether 'obscene as to minors' means obscene even as to the youngest children or as to all minors up to age 17, which affects how broadly the law sweeps and whether protected-for-older-teens material is covered.

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