by Rahman Majere

Created on: January 05, 2010   Last Updated: November 03, 2010

The internet seems to have become an ingrained part for many of us today and yet it was only a couple of decades ago that saw the birth of this complex phenomenon we call the internet. The internet provides many benefits such as E-commerce, sharing of scientific information between researchers and allowing easier means of communications between friends. Yet, the internet also poses some very challenging moral issues that need to be addressed. This article examines several of such challenges.

1) Pornography

Quite possibly the most common theme available on the internet is pornography. Anyone who has surfed the internet will know the vast number of websites dedicated to pornographic texts and images. We've often heard of the mass media voicing concerns over the increasingly rapid rise of child pornography in particular. Parents all around the world are worried of the effects that pornography is having on their young children and seek to protect these youths from the damaging influence of such rampant lewdness.

The strange thing is that, apart from child pornography and protecting youths, not many people are concerned about pornography in general. Has watching nudity and perverse sexual acts that should have been private become a norm in today's world? One can argue that it's just trivial and harmless entertainment, but every little thing that we do influences us. The incidents of otherwise average individuals who molest or even rape others due to having seen it on the World Wide Wantoness, bears testimony to the fact that we are shaped by the things we watch. Nothing is trivial.

2) Sexual predators / Stalkers

Apart from the damaging effects of pornography on both youths and adults, the internet is also a conducive ground for sexual predators to get their victims. Without the internet, a sexual predator may need to carefully observe his victim's schedules, make contact and avoid suspicion. On the internet, he can attempt to befriend a dozen or even hundreds of youths and make his move on the one he believes is the most vulnerable. All this can be done from the comfort of his own home and given the fact that 'cybersex' and 'sex chats' are an accepted norm on the internet, the sexual predator has half his work already done for him.

Similarly, stalkers can use the internet as a way to virtually stalk their victims. While virtual stalking is less dangerous than physical stalking, the same feelings of helplessness, fear and anger do arise and make the victim's life

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