Pornography knows no legal or consistent definition. The definition of each individual depends on their upbringing, sexual preferences and the context in which the pornographic material is being watched.  It may be exciting for one but boring for the others.  But in general, Pornography is defined as any sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to portray people as sexual objects for the pleasure of others.  When these materials are made available online (newsgroups, discussion groups, mailing lists, chat boxes, peer-to-peer networks and the World Wide Web), that translates to online pornography.

Before we go to the real issue, let me give you some statistics first:

1.  According to comScore Media Metrix, Internet users viewed over 15 billion pages of adult content in August 2005 and have spent an average of 14.6 minutes per day viewing adult content online.

2.  The size of the Pornography Industry is $57.0 billion worldwide where $ 2.5 billion is attributed to online pornography.

3.  Pornographic websites - 4.2 million (12% of total websites); Daily pornographic search engine requests - 68 million (25% of total search engine requests); Daily pornographic emails - 2.5 billion (8% of total emails); Worldwide visitors to pornographic web sites - 72 million annually.

4.  Average age of first Internet exposure to pornography - 11 years old; Largest consumer of Internet pornography - 12 to 17 age group.

5.  Breakdown of male/female visitors to pornography sites  72% male - 28% female.

Now, I will not pretend to be a saint here.  I have viewed pornographic materials on the web especially if the material has something to do with prominent people and celebrities.  More of a curiosity for me and to be able to say that "YES", I was able to see it.  I want to be "IN" so to speak.

Some of the more shocking pictures I've seen are pictures of a 15-year old lady student who allowed herself to be photographed totally naked by her friend.  For whatever reason, this friend of hers uploaded the pictures to the web and it spread like wildfire.  To make matters worst, the pictures were uploaded to this 15-year old lady's personal website.  Due to the shame it brought to her family, this girl was sent abroad.  This story although tragic has no one to blame but the girl.  It was done with her consent.  Her only fault was she's too trusting and aggressive.  Typical of a teenager.

I thought nothing can surpass this incident, until I chanced upon a group community site that contains nude pictures taken from webcams, phonecams, magazines, and video captures.  You will also find pornographic movie clips taken from films and mobile phones.  Subjects of these materials are celebrities and models from here and abroad, chatters, showgirls, and others.  Mostly done with the subject's consent or knowledge.

What got me worried was when I was browsing through their pages, I came across a section where pictures were taken from unsuspecting subjects.  To all the ladies out there, read this carefully - there are people out there TAKING YOUR PICTURES WITHOUT YOU KNOWING.  Pictures of unsuspecting ladies taken from escalators, bars, bookstores, coffee shops, MRT/LRT, fast-food centers, jeeps, FX, shopping malls, dancefloors, supermarkets, restaurants and more.  Most of the victims are wearing skirts.  Pictures were taken from the top, across, and from the bottom.  Shown are cleavages, legs, and panties.  The faces of the victims are also posted on the site as well.

I got so disappointed when I reached again another section where the victims now are students.  Lady students who are wearing their school uniforms (long and knee high skirt).  Pictures of their lower body part are all posted on the site.  Students who are taking their lunch, reading books in bookstores, malling, or while inside the bus, jeeps, and FX are all unsuspecting victims to these perverted paparazzis.  It can happen to you, to my love ones, and to everyone.  So how can they do all these without you noticing?

There are available miniature video cameras, size as small as your palm, and is wireless.  I was told that these equipment are only available abroad.  These small video cameras can be placed in anyone's shoes or anywhere and can be operated remotely.  Even the storage device, as big as a VHS tape can be placed as far as 25 meters away and recording can be done.  So the only thing the these perverts needs to do is to position himself/herself near the unsuspecting victim and starts recording.  So no matter where you are and no matter what you're doing, they can get a video of you.  Using a PC, they will just get the section they want, convert it to pictures and upload it to the web for everyone to see.

Authorities will find it difficult to apprehend these perverts for what they are doing, so I suggest that we protect ourselves from them.  To our lady students, wear shorts under your skirt.  To the rest - as much as possible, do not wear skirts unless it is really mandatory.  Be alert always, look around you and check if there's anyone following you or near you.  Try not to wear provocative outfits that will make you a prime victim.  And forget about the line "So what? They can just look but they can't touch" thing.  Yes they can only look but now - they also share and allow the whole world to view it.  The damage it will bring to your reputation is unimaginable.  You know how judgmental people are.

Technology is not to blame here.  Technology was made available to help us do things easier and to make information accessible to everyone.  There are just some misguided individuals who use technology to bad things.  Technology is and has always been amoral.  It's neither good nor bad - it's how we users use it that makes it good or bad.

To the people behind this despicable acts, I will not ask you to stop because I know you will not stop.  Your actions might bring happiness and enjoyment to you, or you can also be addicted to it or perhaps it gives you a sense of achievement - So be it.  All am asking is please do not share it anymore, just keep it to yourself.  Have pity to your unsuspecting victims, especially the students.  They are not doing you any harm to deserve such kind of treatment from you.  Have a heart even if you don't have one.  Thank you.

Am logging off.  God Bless us all!!!

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