CI_ProtectingOurChildrenCellPhonePornography

There is another new twist to internet pornography and the continuous struggle to protect our children!

In the past few years, the focus has been on internet safety and abuse. In the January-March, 2005 Global Exchange(Salvation Army Magazine) there was an article entitled, "Innocence Lost" which explored some of the risks that children face as they meet up with the dangers of internet surfing. The exposure to pornography leaves a lasting image in the mind of these young people. Added to this are the ploys that lure young people to contact and then meet those individuals that are out to harm them. This would include potential child sex offenders and those who would seek to force young people into some form of human trafficking.

Lately I have read that cell phone porn can be even more destructive to our young people than internet porn. It makes sense when you think of how personal a cell phone is and how accessible it is in comparison to a computer that may even be located in an open area of the home. One in every three kids today owns a cell phone. That means that the children who do not have a phone can easily look at someone else's cell phone! A research study by the Pew Internet and American Life Project, "Teens & Technology," shares that 45% of teens own a cell phone and 33% have used a cell phone to send a text message.

In speaking of past experience, Morality In Media, reminds us that things "will roll out slowly" much the same as some channels on TV. In other words, what might have seemed somewhat acceptable at first is today a different story! Perhaps this will be the same for pornography and the cell phone. The National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families notes that by the end of 2006, the cell phone porn business will generate $4 billion in adult content transmittal!

At this juncture, what then can we do about cell phone pornography? Our children need to be protected against being exposed to objectionable material in this way.

Write or contact your Congressperson and urge them to work to draft legislation. This new technology is ahead of the law and legal restrictions are needed. ( www.visi.com/juan/congress for a listing of your representative)
Write the FCC to urge them to regulate this new communication medium. ( fccinfo@fcc.gov or call 1-888-CALL FCC)
Talk openly and honestly to children about the risks involved in becoming addicted to pornography and the effect it may have on their future relationships.
Become educated on what this new technology offers as well as the risks for misuse of it.
Pray that God will continue to protect children from these fast-growing emerging technologies.