As a vocal proponent of socially responsible adult webmastering, I am keenly aware of the threat that child pornography presents to our industry, and so with my first editorial, I’ll let you know what I intend to do about it…
While The ADULTWEBMASTER Magazine has always endeavored to increase the professionalism and business acumen of the adult webmaster community, I feel that during my tenure as Editor, an added emphasis on the legal, moral, ethical, and social responsibilities that we as an industry face is in order.As a vocal proponent of socially responsible adult webmastering, I am keenly aware of the threat that child pornography presents to our industry, and so with my first editorial, I’ll let you know what I intend to do about it…
While The ADULTWEBMASTER Magazine has always endeavored to increase the professionalism and business acumen of the adult webmaster community, I feel that during my tenure as Editor, an added emphasis on the legal, moral, ethical, and social responsibilities that we as an industry face is in order. To that end, I would like to see how we may work to end child pornography online, and best limit children’s exposure to potentially harmful materials.
I believe that adult webmasters need to take responsibility for their actions, and that illegal (and although it is a slippery slope, I must add immoral) content, as well as unfair and deceptive trade practices, could cause the death of this industry. Not necessarily through legislative action alone, but through a combination of legal wrangling, economic pressures (i.e. fraud and merchant account troubles, etc.), as well as a potential socio-political backlash that could make this business unprofitable.
I personally employ Adult Verification Systems, use “warnings” and RSACi tags, and have registered my sites with all of the filtering software companies. I have also met with and comply with the Federal Trade Commission regarding my use of the word “FREE” – all in a “good faith” attempt at being a socially responsible adult webmaster.
I look at the tobacco and firearms industry today, and see special interest groups attempting to enact social change in the courtroom where legislative action has failed.
Could such tactics applied to the adult industry be far behind? Remember, “Porn is Evil” and “We must save our children!” make great sound bites in an election year.
Litigation and legislation are costly quagmires that will do little to solve the problem – child pornography and exploitation, as well as obscenity and providing harmful material to minors is already illegal, yet the problem persists. Enforcement and prosecution are “after the fact” solutions, and are often hampered by questions of jurisdiction and the vagaries of current legislation. For my part, I will put my efforts into education, providing insight and guidance to my readers, some of whom are new to our rapidly evolving industry, and perhaps acting irresponsibly out of ignorance.
However, those pedophiles who are consciously supplying child pornography are in my opinion doing so to satisfy their own depravity, and will continue to do so regardless of my admonitions. These people are not, and should not feel “welcome” in the professional adult webmaster community.
What can we do? Personally, I have joined Protect Our Children, an organization dedicated to protecting our children from illicit material and online predators, and will help broaden the scope of their activities. What can YOU do? If you have any constructive ideas on how to end the problems facing online adult entertainment, please let me know. If this industry dies, it won’t be my fault…
