Is any material published with calculated intent to sexually arouse the viewer.
The internet is the New Playground for children and at any given time children have 100% access to over 1.8 billion pornographic websites.
A danger of children being exposed to porn at an inappropriate age is that they become prematurely sexualised and that, even though they have not been molested, they can exhibit the symptoms of a sexually abused child (Joan Campbell). Up to the age of 6 or 7 children can not differentiate between fact and fantasy. Children who are constantly exposed to pornography could lead to sex addiction and promiscuity later in life. One could go on ad nauseum about the effects of pornography on children but suffice to say, parents must protect children from exposure to porn.
Although there are numerous programs to monitor the use of the internet and precautions that a parent can take, parental supervision and honest discussion between parent and child on the potential dangers lurking on the internet is the best protection.
For further protection against pornography it would be a good idea to have the computer in a communal room. Children also need to be taught common-sense rules about using the internet. Parents must be aware that some programs used for downloading music are also used for downloading pornography.
