Combating Internet Pornography
Resources Help Protect Children from Illicit Images Online
Mar 13, 2008
Although the issue of pornography is a sensitive one, access to online pornography includes numerous inherent risks. It is important that parents and adults are aware of such potential risks children may face online.
- As online pornography continues to grow, the chances of children being exposed to unwanted pornography also increases.
- Disturbingly, illicit images include not only adults, but innocent children. Child pornography is a crime in the United States.
- Addiction to pornography is also increasing.
Online Pornography Statistics:
- There are over 4 million pornographic websites online
- 20% of men admit to accessing pornography from work
- 28,000 people view online pornography every second of every day
- The pornography business is a lucrative one, garnishing $97 billion in revenue worldwide in 2006.
Issues Involving Children:
- 1 out of 3 children are exposed to pornographic images with most exposures occurring at home
- Average age of first exposure is 11 years old
- Pornography is a tool frequently used by predators to lure and coax children
- 40% are considered “dual offenders”. Those arrested with pornography may also victimize children, suggesting there may be a correlation between possession and victimization.
- 20% of Internet pornography involves images of children
- Every week, 20,000 images of child pornography are posted online
- Child pornography is one of the fastest growing industries online
Still images, videos, live streaming media and audio pornography are being viewed, listened to and distributed online. Due in part to easy access, availability and the anonymity factor, online pornography is a rapidly growing problem worldwide.
The FBI recently announced an undercover operation that involved law enforcement agencies from across the globe. The sting shut down one of the “most sophisticated child-exploitation rings ever”. Over 400,000 disturbing images and videos depicting images of children were being shared in online file sharing networks.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of 22 men and more importantly, rescued 20 children.
There are numerous resources available for those struggling with addiction, users wanting to file a formal complaint or those wanting more information and assistance.
- Obscenity Crimes website was launched in 2002 by Morality in Media. This resource provides information for parents, victims, addicts and users discouraged with the deluge of pornography. The website also provides an outlet for those wanting to report “exposure” to pornography, either offline or on, by filing a complaint. To date, the website has received over 70,000 complaints.
- CyberTip Line - The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has implemented the CyberTip Line, a valuable resource for online related crimes against children. Crimes and exposures to inappropriate material can be reported using the online form. This website offers a plethora of valuable information for parents and educators and is highly recommended.
- Enough is Enough - A group of concerned women began Enough is Enough in 1994. The group was concerned about the effects pornography has on children. In 2002, advocate Donna Rice Hughes became President. The website provides Internet safety information and resources.
Although various parental controls can alleviate some inappropriate material, it is important to note the best defense is parental awareness. The information listed above, provides an informational starting point for parents concerned about potential hazards children may face online.
For further online safety information, please visit: Monitor Computer Use with Zoomzaa, and Keeping Children Safe Online.
Sources:
Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later, 2006.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Internet Sex Crimes Against Minors: The Response of Law Enforcement, 2003.
Family Safe Media, Pornography Statistics
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