A federal appeals court recently struck down as unconstitutional a law intended to fight child pornography, saying it restricts protected speech.
Two men involved in an international pornographic spamming business were sentenced to more than five years in prison, the Justice Department announced Friday. The case, investigated by the FBI and the Justice Department's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, was the first to include charges under the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, which was designed to crack down on the transmission of pornography in commercial bulk unsolicited e-mail messages.
A grand jury that resulted from a National Coalition initiated petition drive has indicted several Kansas City, Kan., businesses on obscenity and drug charges.
The U.S. Congress passed a law in 1996 forbidding the sale of sexually explicit material on military bases, but it turns out the military uses a lenient definition of what constitutes such material.
In a passionate debate earlier this year, two specialists discussed whether the government should be able to regulate adult pornography or whether the issue should be left entirely as a personal matter, determined only by subjective choice.
The Ohio Supreme Court affirmed Wednesday that it's illegal to create realistic-looking child pornography by digitally grafting images of children and adults.
Porn star Ron Jeremy's campaign urging children not to watch pornographic movies has risen to the level of late-night comedy, as Jay Leno of NBC's "Tonight Show" is making fun of the effort.
The Senate Commerce Committee heard testimony Tuesday concerning online sexual predators. The findings may inform an Internet safety education bill.
A new government study of convicted Internet offenders suggests that the number may be startlingly high: 85 percent of the offenders said they had committed acts of sexual abuse against minors, from inappropriate touching to rape.
British police, with aid from U.S. investigators, have shattered a global Internet pedophile ring, rescuing 31 children and rounding up more than 700 suspects worldwide. The ring was traced to an Internet chat room called "Kids the Light of Our Lives" that featured images of children being subjected to horrific sexual abuse - including streaming live videos.
In a recent study conducted by ChristaNet.com, 50% of Christian men and 20% of Christian women were found to be addicted to pornography. As the National Coalition has reported, new Internet capable wireless devices have exacerbated the problem as people have the ability to access porn anonymously.
Paul F. Little, a Hollywood director and producer, has been indicted on federal obscenity charges for transporting and mailing obscene material.
In an effort to protect children from objectionable content online, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed into law legislation that requires all public libraries receiving state funding to install internet filtering devices. This is a great success for pro-family groups seeking to shield the innocent eyes of youth.
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to decide whether the PROTECT Act of 2003, which penalizes those advertising, promoting, presenting, distributing, or soliciting material containing or purported to contain illegal child pornography, violates First Amendment protections of free speech.
The National Coalition believes it is unconscionable that a federal judge would defend the rights of pornographers over the protection of America's children. The Child Online Protection Act (COPA), a 1998 U.S. law that makes it a crime for commercial website operators to allow children access to material deemed "harmful to minors," was recently struck down.
In London, Internet pornography has been blamed for a dramatic rise in the number of sex offenses committed by children. Offenses have jumped by 20 per cent from 1,664 in 2002 - 2003 to 1,988 last year.
The former president of the Virginia American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has been arrested and charged with possession of child pornography, ABC News reported.
The Supreme Court recently let stand a 200-year prison term for an Arizona man convicted of possessing 20 child pornography images, turning down his appeal arguing the sentence was excessive or cruel and unusual punishment.
Law enforcement officials have reported that the Missouri man who kidnapped two boys possessed child pornography on his home computer. As research indicates, those viewing pornography, and in particular child pornography, often times commit sexual and criminal acts against children.
The FBI is beginning increased investigations into pornography studios in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley. The main motivation is to protect children from being sexually exploited and to confirm all actors and actresses are consenting adults.
Discussion to create a .XXX domain name to house all online pornography has resumed. Although some believe creating a .XXX domain will help shield children from pornography, the National Coalition believes this has the potential to double the pornographic sites on the Internet because pornographers will not be required to abandon their other .com sites. Ultimately, it creates a false sense of security for parents who are trying to shield children from this content.
Some people claim pornography use is a harmless pastime that does not affect human emotions. This article details the true affect pornography has on the body and the intense isolation it creates between the user and others. In addition, the article outlines how pornography causes people to become detached from reality.
Investigators from the U.S., Canada, Britain and Australia are teaming up to protect children from online predators and pornographers. The group, named the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT), will patrol a website that responds to reports from children and others of suspected online pedophiles. VGT has been operating since 2005 in Britain and Australia and will now expand to include the U.S. and Canada.
Four men in Baltimore have recently been indicted for receiving and possessing child pornography, in addition to soliciting sexual photos of children from an undercover FBI agent. Unsupervised access to the Internet opens the door for pedophiles lurking online to sexually exploit kids.
The Children's Online Protection Act (COPA) continues to be challenged by groups represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The various groups claim that COPA will shield some of their legitimate material from being published but U.S. Department of Justice officials defend COPA and maintain the groups target pornographers and the legislation should remain.
Federal agents have arrested 125 people from 22 states in a child pornography sting. One of the defendants was a church counselor, another a Boy Scout leader, and others had prior records for child molestation. Children as young as six months were depicted on the website engaging in sexual acts. Officials said additional arrests are expected.
The problem of child pornography on the Internet continues to grow despite efforts to stop its distribution. In the past four months there have been specific measures taken, including a bill to increase the number of investigators assigned to child pornography, to protect kids. Yet the amount of child porn on the Internet continues to increase as predators become more technologically savvy.
Former Congressman Mark Foley (R - Fla.) has been caught exchanging sexually explicit emails with teenage boys working as congressional pages Foley helped write the 2002 child pornography law while serving as the co-chairman of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children.
Google has joined other internet service providers in the Technology Coalition within the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. The companies will create tools to help law enforcement limit the distribution of this illegal material while offering their online expertise to prevent the exploitation of children.
The House of Representatives has recently passed the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) with a 410-15 vote. The bill, originally sponsored by Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Penn), will require all public schools and libraries to prohibit access through computers to visual images that are obscene, harmful to minors, or contain child pornography.
A recent study found that 73% of U.S. adults believe viewing pornography is not morally acceptable. The study, conducted by Morality in Media and Harris Interactive, also breaks down the differing opinions based on age, gender, education, socio-economic status, political affiliation, and religion.
AOL, Microsoft, EarthLink, Yahoo! and United Online have agreed to help stop the online distribution of child pornography. The five Internet services will create tools to help law enforcement limit the distribution of this illegal material while offering their online expertise to prevent the exploitation of children.
Law enforcement officials from the Department of Justice and FBI are asking Google, Microsoft, AOL, Comcast, Verizon and other Internet firms to save search information from Web users to help crack down on child pornography. Although some opponents say consumers' privacy will be breeched, the search histories will assist in investigating and arresting those exploiting innocent children
A new coalition of financial institutions is trying to help crack down on the sale and distribution of child pornography. Members of the Financial Coalition Against Child Pornography will report child porn sites to a tip line and block transactions for child pornography. This initiative will hopefully help to reduce the exploitation of innocent children
A man in Florida was recently arrested for watching child pornography on his laptop computer while driving. Scott Albert Saunders was stopped for a routine traffic violation when police found an elaborate computer system Saunders was using to watch children under 16 years old pose in sexually explicit positions.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales recently made it mandatory that all websites containing sexually explicit material post an official government warning label to alert visitors of its pornographic content. If website operators do not comply with this new legislation, they risk up to five years of incarceration.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales recently spoke out against online child pornography at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Gonzales supports tripling the criminal fines for companies that do not report violations of child pornography laws. This comes after a victim of child pornography, Justin Berry, testified before Congress about his experience being seduced online by pedophiles.
A new study has found that child pornography is not considered a crime in many countries. The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children and Interpol, the world's pre-eminent law enforcement organization, released the study last week in Washington, DC. The study found that in 138 countries, the possession of child pornography is not a crime. In 122 countries, there is no law which specifically addresses the distribution of child pornography via computer and the Internet.
A U.S. Homeland Security official has been arrested for engaging in sexually explicit conversation with a crimes detective posing as a 14-year-old girl on the Internet. Brian Doyle, a deputy press secretary, is being charged on seven counts of seducing a youngster on the computer and 16 counts of transmitting material harmful to minors.
Google, Inc. is still not cooperating with the U.S. Department of Justice in releasing its customer data. However, a federal judge announced he plans to require the search engine to disclose the information in an attempt to protect kids from accidental exposure to pornography on the Internet. The Department of Justice is requesting the search engine company comply with the government's subpoena to support the Children's Online Protection Act.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales announced that 27 people will be prosecuted for distributing online child pornography through an Internet chat room. The U.S. Department of Justice learned of this website after an undercover sting operation was conducted to investigate the "Kiddypics & Kiddyvids" site, which included live webcasting of children as young as 18 months being molested.
Studies confirm that children exposed to pornography at young ages are impacted and harmed for years. The Oprah Show highlighted a young boy on a recent episode who went from being an honor roll student and class president to a famous Internet porn star. What started out as an innocent fascination with webcams led to Justin's exploitation by online pedophiles. Parents, please read Justin's story and take heed -- this could happen to your child.
The U.S. Department of Justice is defending a law that would require the internet porn industry to verify their actors and actresses meet the minimum age of 18. Although the pornography producers are crying First Amendment right violations, these records would help to stop the sexual exploitation of children and ensure our children are being better protected.
Former 98 Degrees singer Nick Lachey is helping teens stay safe online. Lachey was recently approached by an Internet security expert asking for his help to stop pedophiles from using famous names, such as Lachey's, to entice youngsters surfing the Web. Along with others, Lachey co-founded Yfly.com, a chat and networking site for teens with an emphasis on safety features.
A recent study by American Family Online found that 35% of Christian families have been harmed by material online, while less than half of survey respondents have installed Internet filtering or blocking devices. Click herefor tips from the National Coalition on safeguarding your children online.
A California man has pleaded guilty to sending hundreds of thousands of pornographic emails, violating the U.S. anti-spam law known as the CAN-SPAM Act. Kirk Rogers faces up to five years in prison for running a spamming operation advertising pornographic websites and images.
Although Internet filters are a great way to help shield children from objectionable content online, the U.S. Department of Justice says they are not infallible. To augment Internet filters, the Justice Department is looking to defend the Child Online Protection Act, a measure to help reduce access to material that is harmful to minors on the Internet.
A recent study released by the Pew Internet and American Life Project examined the influence of the Internet on people's lives. The study found that the Internet and email aid users in maintaining their social networks and provides pathways to help when people face big decisions.
Dateline recently exposed the secret life of pedophiles who prey on children through the Internet during a hidden camera investigation. Playing off children's naivety and vulnerability, pedophiles lure youngsters to meet them in person after online conversations have established their trust. Unfortunately, what follows is a series of child sexual exploitation cases that are finally garnering more attention from the media.
As the National Coalition has been reporting, handheld wireless devices continue to be the newest medium pornographers are using to exploit children and teens. Our concern is that the advanced multifunctional cell phones will flood the market before protections are in place and adequate educational materials are available for parents. A recent article in the USA Today brings this issue to the forefront.
A recent online study by The Harris Poll revealed that only 40% of 2,555 adults surveyed believe pornography harms relationships between men and women. The study, conducted between September 20 - 26, 2004 also concluded that 42% believe the Internet should be regulated specifically so children cannot access X-rated material online.
Apple Computer's iPod device is now infamous for not only providing music but also distributing pornography through podcasting technology. It's clear that pornographers continue to exploit new technology with ease and frequency and has the potential of causing harm to children.
According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, two out of three Americans spend time online today, up from one in five Americans in 1995. As the Internet continues to transform lives, it is critical for parents to engage with their children as they surf the Internet. Click herefor important safety tips for parents to safeguard children online.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Quest Communications hosted an Internet safety event for Congress and business leaders in Washington, D.C. The campaign promoted online safety, offering Internet safety tips to encourage safe, responsible online behavior by children and teens.
A recently convicted child molester may have committed sex crimes against thousands of victims. Police, while searching the offender's home, found numerous binders with children's names and codes for various sex acts. During a bedroom search, police also found binders full of child pornography, confirming the recent University of New Hampshire study that found a direct link between viewing child pornography and committing serious crimes.
The Education Department estimates that approximately 23% of children in nursery schools have gone online, while 80% of kindergarteners have used computers. Although the Internet contains helpful resources and information, it also transmits objectionable material that compromises our children's innocence. It is therefore crucial for parents to not only engage with their children as they surf the Internet, but also install a filtering, monitoring or blocking device. To learn more about Internet filters for your family's computer, check out the National Coalition's website www.filterreview.com.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales approved a new government regulation that requires producers of sexually explicit material to prove the subjects in their photos and films are adults. These records will ensure children are not being used in explicit depictions. Pornography producers who violate the new requirements are subject to prison terms up to five years on the first offense and 10 years for subsequent offenses.
Producers of adult video games continue to launch new material despite less than stellar results from last year's sales. Jenna Jameson, Hugh Hefner, Playboy and Sony are just a few names contributing to this new trend in video games.
Police Searching for Victim of Child Porn Less than 500 of 50,000 child pornography victims seen in online pornography have been identified - or less than 1%. Police in Florida and Canada have released a photo of a young girl who is a possible witness in a child pornography case. Investigators believe that the sex-abuse victim is in "severe danger" and hope the picture leads to tips of the victim's whereabouts.
Playboy to Transmit Photos on PlayStation Portables Playboy has recently partnered with Sony to offer racy images on its PlayStation Portable device. Two non-nude galleries and a short video feature will be offered for free, while "Cyber Club" subscribers will have access to nude shots. This comes on the heels of Playboy's announcement in January to offer similar images on Apple's iPod.
The Kids' Internet, a community built and designed to give children access to the Internet while educating and keeping them safer, is available for download at www.thekidsinternet.com. Kids can choose from a variety of free, themed browsers that appeal to all ages and genders. Although this is a great resource, remember it is not infallible. Parents still need to engage with their children as they surf the Internet.
A survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 54 percent of Internet-connected families with children ages 2-17 use Internet filters or monitoring software. To find out more about the Internet filters that might be right for your family, check out the National Coalition's www.filterreview.com
