What the internet doesn't want us to know

I was in a media, law and ethics class last week and we were talking about defamation in relation to the internet and how our laws on defamation do not necessarily apply to publications on the internet... or more so the internet is subject to different defamatory laws. Our tutor was talking about how there is a ‘patchy protection’ for internet users and published material on the web. It got me thinking about the internet as a whole and how broad and perilous the internet can be- how it can, in many circumstances, become a source that promotes dangerous or inhumane human behaviour.

A few months ago I was watching The Oprah show and there were two particular shows relevant to this topic of the internet being an avenue for destructive and unsafe human activity. The first show was an insight into how big the internet is for a source of obtaining pornography. In an attempt to draw attention to the ‘Porn epidemic’ Oprah introduced Kirk Franklin- a famous gospel music phenomenon, he talked about his obsession of pornography and how the internet - a new method of access- accelerated his addiction to pornography. Other guests admitted that internet pornography had a huge impact on their day-to-day lives, many admitted it had totally distorted a ‘regular’ way of life, with many explaining how it had ruined all relationships with their family, friends and partners.

But the second story is one i wanted to draw attention to. It was a clold and chilling show. One that stunned and disturbed me. It was a show about Justin, a young school boy that was lured into becoming a childhood Porn Star at the young age of 13 years. His parents never imagined that the web cam they bought their son, for the purpose of talking to his school friends, is exactly what led him to become a well known internet porn star. He began taking his shirt off in front of millions of child paedophiles for a small sum of money. This further led to a world of child pornography and exploitation.

Justin’s story is a prime example where the internet has become a source for destructive and unsafe human activity. I am not absurdly suggesting that the internet is wrong and bad and should be banned... I’m merely drawing attention to the way the internet and other technologies can be exploited by individuals. -Used as a method to participate and encourage such repulsive behaviour.