Introduction
Studies fail to specify a standard definition of child pornography since varied jurisdictions pose their descriptions. However, Ferraro, Casey & McGrath (2005) define such a vice as a visual representation of minors engaging in sexually related deeds. This could be in photographs, videos, as well as images. Computers or electronic devices take a noteworthy part in the production of these images (Ferraro, Casey & McGrath, 2005). This document examines the persons affected by such vice and the effects of internet technology on child pornography. Furthermore, it is crucial to comprehend the interventions undertaken to combat this problem. Evidently, focusing on the effects of the practice on the victim is equally imperative.
Who is legible to child exploitation and pornography?
The federal law adopts the chronological age in defining a minor. The law identifies a minor as an individual whose age is below 18 years. However, it is pivotal to note that varied jurisdictions have different views on what age bracket comprises of the minor. In this discussion, we take the provisions of the “United Nation’s convention” stating that childhood ends at 18 years to be the standard age (Ferraro, Casey & McGrath, 2005). Studies designate the existence of child exploitation before the current technologies. The “North American man-boy love association” is among the sites strongly championing the idea of permitting the men to boys’ type of romantic relationships (Ferraro, Casey & McGrath, 2005). It accomplishes this by stating its beliefs on why to permit child pornography. Prior to the invention of the internet, the populace with ill intentions of exploiting minors would utilize the following strategies. Studies indicate seeking employment by some individuals in the families of these children thus easily reaching them. Additionally, others tempted them by offering some favors or by volunteering to live with them.
The effect of internet technology on child exploitation and pornography
The onset of 1990 saw tremendous technological advancements in diverse areas of the globe. As the proportion of children flocking into the internet inflated, the adult offenders willing to persuade them into sexual affairs sent invite thus the exploitation (Taylor & Quayle, 2003). Consequently, the invention of internet technology facilitated the flow of child pornographic materials. Therefore, this led to high public concern about the accessibility of illegitimate content on the internet. Statistics designate increasing prosecutions for individuals in child pornography since 1995 (Taylor & Quayle, 2003). Additionally, the issue of child pornography raised major concerns in the United States. Most of the individuals occupied in this act fortified their dealings by claiming that they utilized computer-generated images but not real children whilst generating such materials. Sources designate that this highly prompted the public concern on the diminishing ethical values necessary for upright growth. Therefore, varied governments drew well-outlined strategies aimed at strengthening the lawful framework works (Taylor & Quayle, 2003).
Laws controlling the spread of child pornography
The inflated cases of the act resulted in countries such as England devising mechanisms aimed at alienating the act. In 1994, the “house of commons home affairs” report stated that computer pornography dawned to be a “new horror” (Jenkins, 2003). However, the central point of discussion was the delivery of pornographic materials in soft copies. They majorly focused on the transmission of such materials by the usage of floppy disks. The committee failed in addressing the role played by the technologies in the circulation of such materials. Therefore, from the recommendations of the committee, the “criminal justice and the public order act” modified the obscenity laws thus allowing the coverage of the issues pertaining to data format (Akdeniz, 2008). In addition, the acts dealing with children’s protection integrated the images generated by the use of computers in indecent photographs. Interpol’s study designated increased proportions of child pornography in Europe, usually attributable to the enhanced utilization of the technology. In 2000, the U.S. arrested 2,557 online criminals who exploited minors. About the utilization of computer-generated pictures, the “child protection act” criminalized their usage (Akdeniz, 2008). This helped ease the prosecution process since many fortified their actions by claiming that they utilized the computer-generated images. Subsequently, the U.S. generated more strict laws for combating this crime usually so prevalent in the community.
The effects of child pornography on the victim
Studies designate limited research on who possesses pornographic materials. However, explorations indicate varying factions of persons possessing these materials. In relation to the above, there exist numerous contributing factors to accessing such materials. Among the people who access these materials are young adolescents who utilize them in gratifying their sexual requests (Akdeniz, 2008). A different category of individuals is those on the lookout for diverse sexual stimuli. Additionally, it deems vital to comprehend the ill effects of exploitation as well as child pornography. Literature specifies that minors exploited at any point in their lifetime suffer from psychological trauma for an elongated period (Taylor & Quayle, 2003). Furthermore, these images remain in circulation for life thus harmfully affecting the lives of featured minors.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is clear that child exploitation has been in existence for a long time. Before the onset of technology, people enticed children by utilizing different strategies such as volunteering to offer some duties, given that they work with children. They also offered some favors thus distorting the children’s minds. With the invention of current technologies, child exploitation and pornography became extremely prevalent thus the enactment of laws to counter it. The U.S. and European countries took strict measures against this practice. Finally, child pornography has several negative effects on the victim’s life.
References
Akdeniz, Y. (2008). Internet child pornography and the law: national and international responses. Burlington, VT: Ash gate Publishing Ltd.
Ferraro, M., Casey, E. & McGrath, M. (2005). Investigating child exploitation and pornography: the Internet, the law and forensic science. Burlington, MA: Academic Press.
Jenkins, P. (2003). Beyond Tolerance: Child Pornography on the Internet. New York, NY: NYU Press.
Taylor, M. & Quayle, E. (2003). Pornography: an Internet crime. New York, NY: Psychology Press.