Pornography.

Essay by bozzyUniversity, Bachelor'sA-, June 2003

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There are over 30 million Internet users in the United States and only about 3 million of those use the Internet from home. For the Government to monitor every piece of information would be impossible. With all of the information on the Internet over 83% of those images available are pornographic (Kershaw, 1). All of the information on the Internet has changed people's lives and it has given people new opportunities, yet at the same time it has given people another way to exploit information. One way to monitor Internet information and images would be to use censorship. However, many people protest that censorship is a violation of their first amendment rights and a hold back on freedom of speech. The Internet is the largest information source that has ever existed. However, there is no President or chief operating officer to make important decisions. According to Dave Kershaw, "Inevitably, being an uncontrolled system means that the Internet will be subjected to subversive applications of some unscrupulous users".

In 1994 there were over 450,000 pornographic images on the Internet and users have accessed those images over 6 million times. There are many legal issues that go along with pornographic images from child pornography to adult pornography.

The Sexual Exploitation of Children Act was endorsed in 1977 and the law outlawed the use of a minor in the making of pornography, the transfer of a child across state lines, the taking of a pornographic picture of a minor, and the making and movement of materials that had child pornography (Laws, Online). It also prohibits any selling or purchasing of child pornography. This also means that it cannot be shipped by mail or computer. The Child Protection Act in 1984 clearly stated that anyone younger than 18 was still considered a child. On...