Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a plan that would crack down on internet pornography. Saying that "the darkest corners of the Internet" pose a real threat to children.
Naturally, the primary focus is to protect children, but the real and long-term threat targets those who become addicted to internet porn, and the people and lives that surround them.
Granted, not everyone who watches porn will become addicted – no more than everyone who has a beer will become an alcoholic or that everyone who takes pain medication for a back injury will become addicted to pain killers – but porn addictions and porn addicts are very real. Experts have gone so far as to issue a warning that porn addiction is increasing at an alarming rate. Instant accessibility and the ability to view anonymously and privately are proving to be a toxic combination. Psychotherapists have labeled the phenomenon "the crack cocaine of the internet."
I applaud the efforts of Prime Minister Cameron and support him 110 percent. Internet pornography is a mighty, and large beast to tame, but I have to believe more people see pornography as a despicable, degrading and disgusting industry and not "something all guys do."
Under the British Anti-Porn Plan:
- Adult-content filters will be the default on phones, public Wi-Fi networks and home computers. Adults over 18 will have to request the block be removed (bound to expose hidden addicts.) Good!
- The plan calls for all search companies to do more to hide porn from children. Web companies that provide service to an estimated nine out of 10 households have signed on and are participating voluntarily by putting porn filters in place by default.
- There will be an effort to expand and streamline a currently fragmented child-porn databases. Hopefully this will expose the creeps and molesters who live and work among us every single day!
- A ban on the depiction of rape and other serious sexual offences and close loopholes in laws to make "extreme porn" illegal.
- A new "Family Friendly Wi-Fi" label will allow hotels, restaurants and other businesses to advertise that their Web access has porn filters enabled.
Cameron cited a two-pronged problem: the online exploitation of children through child pornography and the easy access children have to otherwise legal pornography at an early age.
Two recent British murder trials in which the defendants had viewed images of child sexual abuse online have increased public concern over the availability of pornography.
"Protecting the most vulnerable in our society, protecting innocence, protecting childhood itself — that is what is at stake," Cameron said. "And I will do whatever it takes to keep our children safe.
No doubt some will whine about 2nd the British equivalent of amendment rights, but as far as I’m concerned those rights end the moment that harm is caused.
Phooey, I meant to write “second amendment rights”. 🙂