There was a congressional hearing that aired on C-SPAN, that had to deal with the subject of porn. The major point that was brought up within the hearing was the fact that it is tough to control the production and distribution of porn these days, with the use of the Internet. Another point that was brought up was the point made on child porn, which I will touch within this blog.
The discussion about porn and the Internet was led by Sen. Blancke Lincoln, and her argument that we need to keep it out of the hands of children within this country. She included some interesting facts on this issue, like the average age that children first see porn is the age 11, and the biggest consumers of porn are teens from the ages 13 to 17. Senator Lincols stated that the issue should be on the parents, and they should monitor what the children get into online. She also says that parents need to make the children aware of what’s out there and that it is not allowed for them to watch it. Another thing that got me thinking was the point brought up about Main Street. “She said Main Street just isn’t the same as it was when she was growing up”, we all know that the times are changing, but was her childhood the same as the children in the 1920’s. The answer is no. Twenty years from now the whole world is going to be different, and we have to grow with the times, just like the porn industry is doing.
I don't think that it is up to the parents to do all the work with the internet the way it is today, which is why the FBI, and Mr. Burress have started the Adult Based Obscenity Squad which is stationed in Washington D.C. This squad has 250 agents in effect to help stop the child porn industry, and make the Internet porn industry safer for children, and all people. The question of “Do you need more funds” was brought up to Mr. Burress, and the answer was simple “No” they have the funds, and they are making progress. For example in 1997 there were only 352 case of child porn that were in effect, but now in 2004 there are 1,486 cases in the works for prosecution.
This world today is way different from the world 50 years ago or even the world 10 years ago. The use of the Internet has changed the way people are able to obtain and even distribute porn. Now on to what I think should be done. The Adult Based Obscenity Squad should keep doing what they are doing, and stay focused on the child porn industry, and like one senator said let the parents inform the children, not to visit the porn sites. I also think that the ads on television ads like “Say no to drugs” should branch off and start the “say no to porn” campaign, and get the problem out into the open like another senator mentioned within the hearing. These are most of the problems addressed within the hearing, and I hope that they can keep up with the times to control the porn situation in the world today.
