COPPA, CDA, Reno
At some levels Pornography and Indecency on the Internet can be illegal if they cross the boundaries that our society has sought to define as unacceptable. The true difficulty is in defining that boundary. We will look at this fine line and some of the ways in which our society tries to draw it. When it comes to Child Pornography, something that would seem easy to identify, the waters are just as murky. Determining the age of the victim, the level of lewdness in the photograph and if it is even an actual child creates loopholes that child pornographers and it customers can slip right through.
The Internet has been the single biggest boon for the pornography business and has helped it to become a billion dollar industry. Unfortunately, it has also done so for Child Pornography. While clearly illegal in the United States, it is not illegal in several other countries, countries that are easily accessible from the Internet. In this class we will look at these issues and discuss the laws enacted to curb this growing industry. We will also look at the profile of the typical consumer of Child Pornography and examine why the Internet has become their lair as well as their protector.
Our guest speaker will discuss the FBI's Innocent Images initiative and illustrate the realities of what awaits children in the on-line world. The quote below was taken from the Innocent Images Web site:
`Today computer telecommunications have become one of the most prevalent techniques used by pedophiles to share illegal photographic images of minors and to lure children into illicit sexual relationships. The Internet has dramatically increased the access of the preferential sex offenders to the population they seek to victimize and provides them greater access to a community of people who validate their sexual preferences.'
Lastly, we will take a look at the responsibilities of businesses and private individuals when it comes to reporting the existence of child pornography on their systems.
If you are not taking place in the debate, you must write a 2400--3000 word essay on one of the debate topics. Your essay should clearly state which topic you are writing about and whether you are writing FOR or AGAINST the proposition.