Mediawatch-UK

Friday 1 March 2013

Children need protecting from porn




The announcement that Iceland is considering blocking online pornography because of the damage it causes to society continues to provoke heated debate around the world.

Earlier this week I was part of a panel debating the issue on the BBC World Service.  Also taking part in the debate were a spokesperson from the Icelandic government, an open internet campaigner, a porn film producer and a porn performer.  Listeners from all over the world had their say via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail.

Incredibly, the tenor of the debate soon moved on from a discussion of how best to control children’s access to online pornography into a debate on whether such material was harmful for children at all.

Whilst distancing themselves from violent material, both the porn producer and the actor said that they felt pornography could be good for children; educating them about the realities of sexual relationships.

This is quite staggering; pornography is a very poor sex educator.  Quite apart from the fact that the majority of pornography includes aggression and violence[1], allowing children free access to pornography neglects their basic right to be protected from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. [2]

Three-quarters of teachers surveyed for the TES last year said they believed access to porn was having a “damaging effect” on the pupils in their care. One said some pupils “couldn’t get to sleep without watching porn”.

The day after I took part in the debate a teenager was jailed for his part in the rape of a 14 year old girl.  The court hearing was presented with psychiatric reports that revealed the attacker had watched sadistic pornography on his computer and wanted to re-enact what he had seen.

The fact is that the lives of both the victim and the perpetrators in this case have been blighted because of what took place.  Sadly it may not prove to be an isolated incident; last year in the UK 24 police forces arrested children under 13 for suspected rape while seven detained at least one ten year old.

If children’s understanding of healthy relationships and sexuality is perverted by pornography the implications for the future are terrifying.  We cannot continue to skirt around the issue.  It is vital that we act to protect children, especially when the stakes are this high.

Mr Cameron has pledged stricter internet controls to protect children but online pornography still remains depressingly easy for children to access.  We are still waiting for a date for the debate on this crucial issue which is to take place in the House of Lords.  As soon as we have one I will let you know so that you can have your say and let the Lords know that we must act to protect children and we must act quickly.

Vivienne Pattison
Director: Mediawatch-UK


[1] Robert J Wosnitzer & Ana J Bridges, “Agression and Sexual Behaviour in Best-Selling Pornography: A content Analysis Update” (paper presented at the Fifty-seventh Annual Meeting of the International Communication Association, San Francisco, 24-28 May 2007)

[2] Article 34 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

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