Are the Dangers of Internet Pornography Exaggerated

Is a part of society over-reacting to the accessibility of pornographic material on the Internet? Is pornographic material as easily accessible as some believe?

Julia Wilkins is an author of several books and articles on educating children. Wilkins claims there are people in our society who create moral panic when referring to availability of pornographic material on the Internet. Wilkins defines moral panic, in part, as an overwhelming amount of public concern, usually out of proportion to the actual priority of the issue, which society views as a threat. For instance, Wilkins refers to Time magazine cover article of July 3, 1995 which headlines read “On Screen near You: Cyberporn”. This article was based on a Law Journal paper, which did not receive peer review prior to its publication in Time and was written by Marty Rimm at Georgetown University on the subject of marketing pornography on the super highway. The article portrayed the Internet as a way for pornography to be easily accessed by anyone who could turn on a computer. It even went as far as publishing pictures showing couples engaged in acts of sodomy, intercourse

I agree with both authors to a point. Pornography has been around for a long time, this is not a new issue. Certainly it has found a new venue with the advent of the Internet. The difference now is children have access to the computer in their own home, where before you had to go look for it at the newsstands. Computers are affordable and easy to obtain. They are found in many homes today and viewed as a necessity by many. With so many people owning computers and having the ability to access the Internet, there certainly is reason for concern for society’s children. However, that concern should be the responsibility of parents and not of the government. The United States Constitution’s First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech. If we begin censoring what we can read or view over the Internet, we would encroach upon that basic right. I do not have a great love for pedophiles or pornography but there are laws already in place to deal with pedophiles. I attempted to view the!

points out many valid concerns pertaining to the use of the Internet by children, pedophiles and other sexual predators. He advocates for parental intervention with parents educating their children of the dangers that are lurking on the Internet.

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