Families and Technology

This is a blog where we talk about technology and its effects on families, individuals, our children, and our society. We explore where it's helpful, and when it's harmful. Speak up with your comments. Share your ideas.

Monday, December 19, 2005

One teen's descent into online porn

A computer out of the oversite of parents, an internet connection, and a web camera were all that were needed for a 13 year-old to begin a long decline into the world of online child porn.

I monitor a steady stream of news about computers, the internet, families and children. I don't typically comment on stories about internet stalkers and "kiddie-porn" because they're already covered heavily in the news and it's roughly the same story each time, but the stream of these stories is non-stop.

The New York Times has a long article about a boy who started posing for older men on his web cam and received praise and gifts. Over time it went further than that and the number of men that were "fans" of the boy was over 1500.

Brett at DadTalk summarized this one nicely. (Thanks Brett!) or read the full Times article to learn all about this poor kid's morally bankrupt father, who encouraged his son's destructive behavior. On the positive side, the story concludes with how he's turning his life around and working with the authorities to go after the sickos who are exploiting kids online.

And if you love your kids, keep your computers in a public area, and know what your kids are doing online. Stay involved with them, and talk to them often.

UPDATE: If only it was this easy to catch the monsters.

posted by Mark Sicignano Permalink    

3 Comments:

  • At 11:47 AM, brettdl said…

    Thanks Mark

     

  • At 1:27 PM, Anonymous said…

    People who exploit children are to be condemned, yet the Times expose is a bit more complicated since the boy, while initially manipulated by some adult"fans" seemed to have fully embraced the business potential of his webcam performances for quite some time. Very few of his customers met him in person and we don't know how many wanted to go beyond porn. Check out http://differentdrummer.typepad.com/ for a little complexity on the subject, plus examine the response to the comment by someone who is probably a pedophile in terms of
    desire (no oidea if it goes beyonfd that) and the webglogger's response

     

  • At 2:24 PM, Mark Sicignano said…

    Interesting points. I guess when I see some extremely attractive mom at my kids soccer practice and just because I might let out a "Yowsa!!!!" under my breath, that doesn't make me an adulterer.

    We certainly don't need "thought police" arresting people for having ideas about something that if they actually executed would constitute a criminal action.

    I'm not sure I grasp the point you're trying to make about the fact that the boy, "embraced the business potential" of what he was engaging in. Is that to say that it makes it less of a crime for those who compensated him for his... um... companionship?

     

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