by Faye Daughterson

Created on: April 16, 2009

Pornography on the Internet: Free speech or subject to regulation? First of all let me say when I have been directed to these sites by trickery, there was no "speech" going on. Furthermore when I tried to escape I was taken deeper and deeper into the site. I am not a fan of pornography and found this experience nauseating. I want the freedom to, not go there.

I have no problem with people going to these sites on purpose who want to view pornography for their pleasure, but certainly these sites should be punished for directing people (which includes children) to their sites by deception.

I have a choice to open a magazine and look at the contents inside. I do not go into shops that sell pornography and I have no wish to stop those who do. Would anyone sit a child down and force it to look at a whole Hustler magazine turning the pages slowly to make sure the child took it all in and absorbed each and every image. I am sure if anyone was caught doing that to any child they would be prosecuted. The internet is locking children into rooms filled with pornography exposing them to images that cannot be taken away and I think we can all agree that these images are not healthy for a child to experience.

I remember my nephew finding himself face to face with unbelievable pictures at the age on nine. He screamed for me in terror "I didn't do it, I didn't do it" I asked him to leave; I could not get the site off the screen. I had to turn the computer off, then back on and then remove the cookie or something like that, it was not easy. Surely misdirection can be policed. I must say it is better now than it used to be.

I find the lack of concern for our children appalling but then again the issue is more about big bucks than free speech. Pornography on the web is like a vampire infecting people and children with a bit that changes them forever good for business. How many bites from a vampire before you become one yourself?

Stores selling pornography are not allowed to display graphic material in their windows. Children can walk by safely without being accosted by sexually explicit images. I don't understand why the internet is not held to the same rules. Is the free speech of stores being violated because they cannot display pornography in their windows?

Children are exploited all over the world and the internet has made it easier and more efficient. Protecting a child's innocence should be paramount. You cannot tell me the free speech of pornographers is at risk by making sure no one gets on the site who is under age or does not wish to go there. With the billions of dollars made in pornography and the creative genius of programmers I am sure it is possible to construct sites that protect children and me. Why should the internet have more rights than a book store?

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