The XXX stuff...Take it down, and legal issues?

[DyceDarg]

So here's somewhat of a less-spoken subject: Porn.

We all know that it exists on the internet, and we know its purposes. But here's a background just as a reference.

1. Pornography is the depiction of explicit sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexually exciting the viewer.
2. In the United States, distribution of "obscene" materials is a federal crime. The determination of what is obscene is up to a jury in a trial, which must apply the Miller test; however, due to the prominence of pornography in most communities most pornographic materials are not considered obscene by the Miller Test. This point is up here because it shows why porn isn't considered illegal material and taken down immediately.
3. Porn websites are required for the viewer to be 18 years of age or older.

Now I have two debate topics, the first one being: Should porn be taken off the internet?

I realize that this would cause distress to many teenagers, and maybe even older viewers. But in that previous sentence is the problem: TEENAGERS. Porn is reaching unintended audiences, and sure websites say 'Are you 18 or older?' but could they verify? Lying about your age is illegal, but nothing's going to be done about it.

Some more facts (relating to porn):

1. Studies in 2001 put the total [profits of porn] (including video, pay-per-view, Internet and magazines) between $2.6 billion and $3.9 billion.
2. Rates of pornography use in Japan have climbed in the 20th century. A negative correlation has been found between pornography use, **** and other sex crimes. From 1972 when pornography changed from totally prohibited to freely available with no age restrictions there has been a significant drop in sex crime and particularly in the number of victims aged under 13. Japan has the lowest levels of reported **** and the highest levels of arrests and convictions in any developed nation in the world.

A follow-up question to you is: Should there be a legal viewing age in America?

In my personal opinion, porn should be legal for all ages, and not taken off the internet. I don't believe that porn causes sexual crimes, I think it's the opposite. People with pent-up sexual frustration are probably much more likely to **** someone than otherwise, and I think that porn manages to relieve that frustration. Also, if teenagers want to view it, why not? You can't put an age on puberty, and I think masturbation is just part of growing up, so I don't think stopping that is going to help.

[PLEASE KEEP THIS TOPIC SERIOUS, NO "L0L D00D3 GO TO XXX.COM" or non-debate related comments]

[P.S. All facts taken from wikipedia]

 

[pacmansays]

Hmmm, i think legal for all ages is silly but people of every generation have tried to find pornography as teenagers. Pretty normal thing for people to do, even though its slightly gross.

I still think people should put the warnings up and I can't imagine porn being so non-taboo that a son could tell his mother he's off to look at porn on the 'net. But its just the human body really, despite my reservations i find it hard to see what is wrong with pornography really as long as the 'actors' are fully aware of what they're getting into and are protected.

 

[rhan]

Now I have two debate topics, the first one being: Should porn be taken off the internet?

I realize that this would cause distress to many teenagers, and maybe even older viewers. But in that previous sentence is the problem: TEENAGERS. Porn is reaching unintended audiences, and sure websites say 'Are you 18 or older?' but could they verify? Lying about your age is illegal, but nothing's going to be done about it.

Even though I am underaged.....

No porn should not be taken off the net. But I believe there should be better ways to prevent underaged children from viewing such materials. Maybe having these sites only accessable through a Credit Card? Applying a small fee to view? (10 cents or so?) That way only those of legal age could possibly view them.

A follow-up question to you is: Should there be a legal viewing age in America?

In my personal opinion, porn should be legal for all ages, and not taken off the internet. I don't believe that porn causes sexual crimes, I think it's the opposite. People with pent-up sexual frustration are probably much more likely to **** someone than otherwise, and I think that porn manages to relieve that frustration. Also, if teenagers want to view it, why not? You can't put an age on puberty, and I think masturbation is just part of growing up, so I don't think stopping that is going to help.

18 is a good age limit. This way they are legally considered "adults" and able to make thier own decisions.

With what you said though that all ages should be able to view porn: I disagree.

Elementary/Middle school children should not be exposed to such things because then they could grow up into some sex fiend, not truly understanding what sex is about. High School students by the age of 15 have already experienced a sexual activity. Whether it is masterbation or intercourse. Most High School students understand more than the younger ages. They also will have stronger urges to conducted such acts. Relieving sexual fustration is not a bad thing. But before things are acted upon they need to understand the conseqences of thier actions.

I do believe that porn does not directly cause people to comit such acts as ****. It's mainly the who that person is.

 

[INSANE CARZY GUY]

If you do the fee thing people will always find a cheap way around it like they do with all entertainment. But you still make money which wasn't the point. I should at be 13 because could on this isn't what 8 years are thinking about or need to see.

I just want to throw there that there are many people who don't want to see this all the time or even at all(I know some people who feel like that). once I was looking up 3 euros or some thing like that for german and dude I some some nasty **** i never want to see again dude blood and **** with porn is F***ed up.

I think they should least take off some of the google porn pics

 

[pacmansays]

Well if you're a parent and worried about your kids looking at pornography on the internet then put a parental block on the computer meaning all pornographic sites will be blocked.

 

[INSANE CARZY GUY]

Not the google pictures and you don't even have to try to find it, I have found it by looking up a war(europe one I think). So at least get rid of the google pic porn or at least have it make scents when you look up ___ you find___

 

[rhan]

True. But in his post he's not only just reffering to the internet. He's just saying "porn viewable by anyone". As in anyone can go to a video store and rent/purchase a X rated movie. Parents can only do so much when it comes to thier child's life. But when they're out of sight it's all fair game.

 

[INSANE CARZY GUY]

I don't think little kids can just rent movies at a video store so I geuss that would set a small limit which is very needed anyways. And if it can be anywhere for anyone meaning super ads for burger king and shoes and they would have to get rid of the clothing laws to be fair and porn wouldn't be nearly as common.

Added input. I think someone would sue or call 911 or something retarted if the took it all the way off and it would take forever to remove it all.

 

[DyceDarg]

Even though I am underaged.....

No porn should not be taken off the net. But I believe there should be better ways to prevent underaged children from viewing such materials. Maybe having these sites only accessable through a Credit Card? Applying a small fee to view? (10 cents or so?) That way only those of legal age could possibly view them.

Agreed, but there could easily become scams which is a worry to me. They might charge your credit card massive amounts for nothing...

18 is a good age limit. This way they are legally considered "adults" and able to make thier own decisions.

With what you said though that all ages should be able to view porn: I disagree.

Elementary/Middle school children should not be exposed to such things because then they could grow up into some sex fiend, not truly understanding what sex is about. High School students by the age of 15 have already experienced a sexual activity. Whether it is masterbation or intercourse. Most High School students understand more than the younger ages. They also will have stronger urges to conducted such acts. Relieving sexual fustration is not a bad thing. But before things are acted upon they need to understand the conseqences of thier actions.

I do believe that porn does not directly cause people to comit such acts as ****. It's mainly the who that person is.

Well...yeah maybe no age limit is a little ridiculous. I think 14 as a legal age would be best, but there's no way to verify the age of 14. 18 years and older are allowed to have a credit card, but is there anything that comes at 14? To your second point, I don't believe porn causes **** either. My belief is that it REDUCES the likelihood of ****/people becoming rapists.

True. But in his post he's not only just reffering to the internet. He's just saying "porn viewable by anyone". As in anyone can go to a video store and rent/purchase a X rated movie. Parents can only do so much when it comes to thier child's life. But when they're out of sight it's all fair game.

Sorry...I re-read my post and saw it was a little unclear. I meant mostly the internet, I don't expect an 8 year old to walk into 'XXX magazines sold here' and buy a mag with a $20. But I don't think it's too ridiculous for a 16 year old to.

 

[INSANE CARZY GUY]

So I geuss that means no super ADs or the freedom to be nude when you want?

 

[rhan]

Agreed, but there could easily become scams which is a worry to me. They might charge your credit card massive amounts for nothing...

Aren't there ways to catch people who charge your credit card? I don't have much knowledge about them so forgive me if I'm wrong... Maybe using a credit card is risky. But there aren't many other ways to officially prove age without either having identy stolen or unexpected fees.

Well...yeah maybe no age limit is a little ridiculous. I think 14 as a legal age would be best, but there's no way to verify the age of 14. 18 years and older are allowed to have a credit card, but is there anything that comes at 14?

At 14 I started my first year in High School. Maybe the school ID could prove the age requirement? Around 14 young males do start to go through puberty and hormones start to kick in so this could be an acceptable age. But I do believe that first they need to be sexually educated before anything else.

To your second point, I don't believe porn causes **** either. My belief is that it REDUCES the likelihood of ****/people becoming rapists.

To this thought. I want to believe this too. But as I stated before it's mainly about who that person is. The way I see it porn is simular to illegal drugs.

Person "A":
Smokes weed for the first time. Continues smoking weed over a couple of months. Sooner or later he realises that it's not doing much for him. This person finds a new way to satisfies that "urge". This person starts to experiment with crystal meth and cocaine. After a years of being addicted to such substances this person becomes out of control with thier addiction. Doing anything just to feel the next rush.

Person "B":
Looks at porn at the age of 14. At the age of 16 this person has sex for the first time. Becomming a "sex addict" s/he starts to just hook up with which ever person s/he felt an attraction with. About 5 years later when this person doesn't get what s/he is wanting. Then they just start to take it. Whichever ways neccesary.

_____

This isn't accurate but you can sort of get the picture. It's all about the self control of said person. If the person lacks self control then things will escalate into dangerous situations.

Sorry...I re-read my post and saw it was a little unclear. I meant mostly the internet, I don't expect an 8 year old to walk into 'XXX magazines sold here' and buy a mag with a $20. But I don't think it's too ridiculous for a 16 year old to.

I'm not expecting that either. But if it's legally viewable by anyone then it's possible to have porn viewed in public places (such as malls, video stores, book stores, etc.). Which will expose kids to such things.

If we're keeping this strictly to the internet then yes, parents have ultimate control on what is viewable on the net and that is strictly the parent's responsibility to do so.

 

[RDK]

Why is this even being discussed? There's a little thing called parental controls.

And if all else fails there's also a thing called not letting your 10 year old use the internet.

 

[Deleted member]

This thread may be one of the silliest things I've ever read.

And I have the internet.

 

[Rici]

"If all porn was taken off the internet there would be only 1 website left, called 'Bring Back The Porn'." - Dr. Cox, Scrubs

 

[.Marik]

"If all porn was taken off the internet there would be only 1 website left, called 'Bring Back The Porn'." - Dr. Cox, Scrubs

This.

And good luck with removing all pornographic content from the Internet, seeing as it's extremely popular, and the fact that the Internet is not supervised by a dominant authoritative figure who enforces said protocol.

Parental controls. They exist. Pornography is a source of major income. It's bigger than the music industry, so the government won't just "remove it" because children are naturally curious.

The company has a responsibility to provide a disclaimer citing the age limit it's directed at, but how much can they honestly do? Webmasters don't force underaged viewers to look at the content, people choose to recieve it, which is a matter that can't be helped.

 

[INSANE CARZY GUY]

marikyoshi is right and the other people who said it. It makes money so they won't stop it and many people just don't think children should watch/veiw porn. so basicly take off some of the google pictures and you can chage the age limit by a few years but how will you have prove of your age?

 

[LLDL]

yeah, seems like a dumb discussion. But seriously, thats like saying don't look at violent video game footage on the internet with cursing. Actually, its like saying don't go on the internet at all. Did you know that right now there are hundreds upon hundreds maybe even thousands of porn videos on youtube? Most of them are set to private so that nobody can view them but them. But some of them are public! Yes i know that youtube doesn't allow this, but they don't catch onto EVERY video as quickly as you think. I stumbled upon a random page that had at leas 15 porn videos. (lol not that i watched it, but it was misleading, I thought it was game videos, sort of like a rick roll) He or she was banned within like the nect few days, but people upload them nonetheless. It'd be impossible to remove all porn, unless they actually do something like take down the american internet or something drastic.

 

[DyceDarg]

Just a quick note for the sake of the discussion: I'm not saying whether or not it's a realistic goal, but just your opinion on it. I realize it'd be close to impossible to take all porn off of the internet. But IF you could, would you? <-- that's the debate.

 

[LLDL]

I can live without porn and it would affect me in no way, and in order to protect my children which I wouldn't trust with the internet since I know they will be as cunning and computer savy as me by nature. Yes I would opt to remove porn. You can easily entertain yourself and it is not a neccessity.

 

[pacmansays]

I can live without porn and it would affect me in no way, and in order to protect my children which I wouldn't trust with the internet since I know they will be as cunning and computer savy as me by nature. Yes I would opt to remove porn. You can easily entertain yourself and it is not a neccessity.

True, but most of the internet is not a neccessity...SSB isn't a neccessity as you could entertain yourself other ways.

 

[hubble]

I dont believe that any government or group should have any sort of authority over the internet.

 

[Fuelbi]

you know after reading all this i believe that (yes im underage) some kinds of porn should be taken off. for example i believe it should be ok to see pictures but watching sex videos on youtube or something like that should be reserved for older viewers. i mean i dont think a child until he/she is old enough should know what a felatio is or what 69'ing is either. i think that IF a child views video porn it should be under the supervision of a responsible adult.