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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