Information Related to "Internet Pornography: A Cultural Plague"
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Along with all the wonderful uses of the Internet, there is another use that has been growing ever faster—that of commercialized pornography. But what are the effects of viewing sexually explicit pictures? Is it harmless? Is there any culturally redeeming value in the viewing of pornography?
Uncensored pornographic material is available today to anyone with Internet access. Some sites offer pornographic newsletters that are deposited a few times each week into one's electronic mailbox. With the advent of restriction-free, Web-based e-mail services, such material can be delivered into the in-boxes of anyone—young or old—without being detected.
In his book Slouching Towards Gomorrah, Judge Robert Bork comments on how this type of "entertainment" tears down society. After documenting some despicable tales offered on an Internet newsgroup featuring instructions for would-be child molesters, he notes that "such things can only tempt those who verge on such acts to take a greater interest in them" (p. 136).
Pornography—whether in print, on video or on the Internet—may push those who are having sexual problems over the edge. It is by the Internet, however, that the greatest damage seems likely.
With the advent of digital movies, the likelihood increases that such material will be consumed at a much higher rate. This is made apparent when one recognizes the explosion of pornographic films and profits at the time videocassettes began enabling customers to avoid adult theaters.
With the ability to download digital pornographic movies in the privacy of their own homes, those hooked on pornography can escape the potential embarrassment of being seen in public leaving an adult theater, browsing through X-rated films or facing a clerk.
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