Americans may soon face new obstacles to self-pleasure, thanks to a controversial Senate bill that critics say amounts to a “war on masturbation.” Officially titled Senate Bill 3003, the proposed legislation seeks to mandate age verification for the online sale of sex toys.
The bill was introduced by Republican Senator Angela Paxton, wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. It aims to penalize online retailers that sell what it terms “obscene devices” without proper age checks.
According to the Texas Penal Code, an “obscene device” refers to items such as dildos and artificial vaginas. These are “designed or marketed as primarily useful for the stimulation of human genital organs.”
Age verification has become a flashpoint across the U.S. Particularly in southern states, amid growing efforts to regulate access to pornographic websites. States like Texas and Louisiana have led the charge. Passing laws that require adult content platforms to confirm users’ ages—often through government-issued identification. Failure to comply can result in fines and misdemeanor charges.
These laws have raised significant concerns
As it concers privacy and data security. Lisa Femia, a staff attorney at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), criticized Texas’ age verification laws in a public statement.
“Courts have repeatedly ruled that similar laws are unconstitutional based on longstanding Supreme Court precedents.”
A study by New York University echoed those concerns, finding that such laws are often ineffective. Many users, it notes, can simply use a VPN to bypass location-based restrictions.
The new bill on sex toys doesn’t ban them outright, but it would make selling or distributing them without age verification a Class A misdemeanor—punishable by up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine. While the toys themselves wouldn’t be illegal, buying them could become significantly more complicated.
Sex and relationship therapist Dr. Shamyra Howard told the Dallas Observer that requiring identification to purchase sex toys sends a damaging message.
“It turns a private, healthy behavior into something shameful,” Howard said.
She argued that such legislation doesn’t offer protection—it only creates unnecessary stigma and barriers, particularly for those seeking sexual wellness.
“Sex toys aren’t just for pleasure,” she added. “They’re important tools for sexual health. Men use them too—for managing erectile dysfunction, diabetic neuropathy, poor blood flow, and more. They help with pain management, pelvic health, and even support mental well-being by reducing stress or rebuilding intimacy after trauma or medical procedures.”
As debates around age verification and sexual privacy continue, critics warn that this bill could push sexual wellness further out of reach for many Americans.
