What is online pornography?
Online pornography refers to sexually explicit images, videos, or other media that are accessed over the internet. This can include a wide range of content, from sexually suggestive images to graphic depictions of sexual acts. Online pornography is easily accessible to anyone with an internet connection and can be viewed on a variety of devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets. While some adults may choose to view online pornography, it can be harmful to children and adolescents who are not yet mature enough to fully understand the content or its potential impact on their attitudes and behaviors towards sex. It is important for parents to take steps to protect their children from exposure to online pornography.
Child Pornography?
Online child pornography refers to sexually explicit images, videos, or other media that depict children under the age of 18 engaged in sexual activity or posing in a sexually suggestive manner. Child pornography is illegal and morally reprehensible, and its production, distribution, and possession are serious criminal offenses.
Unfortunately, the proliferation of the internet has led to an increase in the availability and distribution of child pornography, which has resulted in an increase in the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Perpetrators of child pornography often use the internet to share and distribute illegal images and videos, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to track down and prosecute offenders.
It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the dangers of online child pornography and to take steps to protect children from exposure to this content. This includes monitoring children’s online activities, educating them about the dangers of child pornography, and reporting any suspected instances of child pornography to the appropriate authorities. Additionally, parents should teach children about appropriate boundaries and behaviors and help them develop the skills they need to protect themselves from sexual exploitation and abuse.
How do children become victims?
Children can become victims of online pornography in several ways:
- Accidental exposure: Children can accidentally come across sexually explicit material while browsing the internet. This can happen when they mistype a website address or when they click on a link that leads to pornographic content.
- Curiosity: Children may actively seek out sexually explicit material out of curiosity or to satisfy their natural interest in sexuality. They may do this by typing sexually explicit terms into a search engine or by seeking out pornographic content on social media or other online platforms.
- Grooming: Some predators use online pornography to groom children for sexual exploitation. They may use pornographic content to desensitize the child to sexual content, to lower their inhibitions, or to create a sense of familiarity and trust.
- Sextortion: Children may be coerced into creating or sharing sexually explicit material with someone they met online. The perpetrator may then use this material to blackmail or manipulate the child into further sexual exploitation.
The exposure to online pornography can have a significant impact on a child’s psychological and emotional development, leading to negative attitudes towards sex, distorted views of sexuality, and potentially dangerous behavior. It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the potential risks and to take steps to protect their children from exposure to online pornography
Motivation for child pornography
The promotion of online child pornography is typically carried out by individuals or groups who seek to exploit children for sexual purposes. These individuals may be pedophiles, child sexual abusers, or other types of sexual predators who seek out child pornography as a means of gratifying their desires or as a means of manipulating and controlling their victims.
Child pornography is a lucrative industry, and there are individuals and criminal organizations that profit from its production and distribution. Some individuals may seek out child pornography for financial gain, while others may do so as a means of satisfying their own sexual desires.
There is also a market for child pornography among individuals who collect and trade illegal images and videos as a means of social status or as a way of connecting with other like-minded individuals.
It is important to note that child pornography is illegal and morally reprehensible, and its production, distribution, and possession are serious criminal offenses. Law enforcement agencies around the world are working to identify and apprehend those who produce, distribute, and consume child pornography and to bring them to justice.
Guidance for children
If a child comes across child pornography online, it is important that they tell a trusted adult right away. The adult can then report the incident to the appropriate authorities, who can work to remove the offending material and identify those responsible.
It is important to teach children that if they are exposed to child pornography, it is not their fault, and they should not feel ashamed or guilty. Parents can help their children understand that child pornography is harmful and illegal, and that the people who produce, distribute, and consume it are engaging in criminal behavior.
Parents can also help their children develop the skills they need to protect themselves from online dangers, including setting limits on screen time, monitoring online activity, and teaching children about appropriate online behavior and boundaries.
If a child is struggling with the emotional impact of exposure to child pornography, it may be helpful for them to speak with a mental health professional who is trained to work with children who have experienced trauma.
Impact of pornography addiction
Sex addiction expert Paula Hall highlights that viewing fast-moving sexual images online can lead to a trance-like state and can easily become addictive. This is why paper porn may be safer than online porn. Some people argue that there’s no difference between sexual images on the internet and soft porn magazines that have been around for generations.
However, it’s crucial for young people to understand that pornography is like junk food or chocolate – it’s not ultimately very satisfying. Pornography is designed to stimulate and arouse, while real sex is quite different. It creates unrealistic and exaggerated expectations of sex, body image, and relationships.
Global research shows that individuals who consume porn regularly struggle to form relationships. It doesn’t teach them about emotions and love, and it desensitizes young people to violence and rape. Men and women are reduced to sex objects and body parts. Therefore, it’s essential to educate children on the harms of pornography addiction and help them build healthy attitudes towards sexuality and relationships.
Pornography addiction can have a serious impact on children’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Here are some potential effects:
- Mental health: Pornography addiction can cause depression, anxiety, and stress in children. It can also lead to a distorted view of sex and relationships, which can lead to problems in future sexual relationships.
- Physical health: Excessive pornography consumption can lead to physical problems such as eye strain, migraines, and fatigue. It can also cause sleep disturbances and disrupt normal sleep patterns.
- Social skills: Pornography addiction can impact children’s social skills, as they may become isolated and withdrawn, preferring to spend time online instead of with friends and family.
- Academic performance: Pornography addiction can also have a negative impact on academic performance, as children may become distracted and struggle to concentrate on their studies.
- Desensitization to violence: Exposure to violent and extreme pornography can desensitize children to violence and make them more accepting of it in their own lives.
It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of these potential effects and take steps to prevent children from being exposed to pornography. This can include setting parental controls on devices, monitoring their online activity, and having open and honest conversations about healthy sexuality.
What does Sri Lankan law say about online child pornography?
Sri Lankan law criminalizes child pornography and considers any production, distribution, possession, or viewing of such material as a punishable offense. The legal framework is based on the provisions of the Penal Code, the Obscene Publications Ordinance, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Under Section 286A of the Penal Code, any person who produces, distributes, imports, or possesses child pornography is liable to imprisonment for a term of up to 20 years and a fine. The same punishment applies to anyone who is aware of the existence of such material and fails to report it to the authorities.
The Obscene Publications Ordinance defines child pornography as any material that depicts a person under the age of 18 years engaged in sexual activity or in a sexual pose. Possession, production, distribution, or importation of such material is an offense under this ordinance, and anyone found guilty can be sentenced to imprisonment and/or a fine.
In addition, Sri Lanka is a signatory to the CRC, which obliges the government to take measures to protect children from all forms of exploitation, including pornography. The government has implemented various programs to raise awareness and educate the public on the dangers of child pornography and the need to protect children from such exploitation.
Overall, Sri Lankan law strictly prohibits child pornography, and the government is committed to taking necessary measures to prevent and combat this issue.
Cover photo source: www.nytimes.com