The sexual content available to young viewers online is extremely alarming. This objectionable content is available because it has been found by the courts to be protected by the first amendment freedom of speech and parents just imagine that their kids are angels and would never watch a sexual act online in the first place. To the contrary of the court’s rulings and parent’s beliefs adolescents do not see the point in the page that says, Do Not Enter. They usually continue by clicking the enter button directly below the adult site warning. This is when things get really erotic. To say curiosity kills the cat would not be enough.
The internet gets worse than just providing pornography. Technology has made it extremely easy for anyone to post nude photographs of themselves online. Through forums and various social networking sites many people across all sexual identities and all sexually active ages participate in the sexual thrills of trading pictures with multiple partners. There is very little resistance by administration out there to prevent such activities. Many sites actually promote the behavior if not at least make it extremely easy to participate.
The ease of trading nude pictures and finding erotic photographs online is a modern epidemic caused by poor morals in the hands of the powerful and more importantly the increasing ignorance of parents. It is not a place to say how parents should raise their kids but it is a place to at least raise the problems that can be found with excessive porn use and sexual behavior.
Any one is vulnerable to becoming a part of this sexual cyber space fiasco where people trade pictures, talk sexually with online strangers, and make loose online relationships, the dangers are more eminent for those who identify with the GLBT communities. The risk for homosexuals to experience a mental disorder or commit suicide is proven to be higher than those who identify as heterosexual. It is highly possible that the oppression on homosexuals by peers at school, family, and media influences make homosexuals at higher risk specifically for antisocial personality disorder. One of the symptoms of this disorder is frequent internet use.
Excessive use of internet alone is a subject in itself. The easy accessibility of pornography stemmed with the current pressures many teenagers face today has resulted in the concern of our youth. With this knowledge it can only be encouraged that parents talk with their children more often about the problems of online pornography use and the issues of various online sexual behaviors.
Works Cited
Mittal, Vijay A., Kevin D. Tessner, and Elain F. Walker. "Elevated Social Internet Use and Schizotypal Personality Disorder in Adolescents." NIH Public Access. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2323598/>.
"Pornography on the Internet." SuperKids Educational Software Review. Web. 01 June 2010. <http://www.superkids.com/aweb/pages/features/netporn/>.
Walker, Theresa. "’Sexting’ Calls Attention to a Worrisome Trend | Sexting, School, Kids – Life – The Orange County Register." The Orange County Register : The Orange County Register. Web. 01 June 2010. <http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sexting-247829-school-kids.html>
