Pornographers targeting youthful iPod users

Pornographers targeting
youthful iPod users
Federal prosecutor, consultant warning parents to protect their kids
Posted: January 29, 2006
1:00 a.m. Eastern

by James L. Lambert
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com

The ever-expanding pornography industry is now targeting America's children – via the wildly popular iPod devices – in its latest quest for new customers, according to a former federal prosecutor and a veteran government consultant on pornography.

The popularity of Apple's new video-capable portable technology has driven porn industry providers to introduce iPod-compatible video content. Already at least three companies have divisions dedicated solely to adult content for these portable players.

"Like other forms of entertainment, consumers want to watch programming that interests them at their convenience, so we expect that people will watch porn films in places other than the privacy of their bedroom," David Joseph, CEO of several "adult entertainment" companies, recently told Adult Video News.

"Technology gives us the opportunity to provide this service," he added. "We're calling this porn on the pod."

Alarmed at the pornographers' apparent targeting of youth, former Justice Department prosecutor Patrick Truman and Judith Reisman Ph.D., a veteran federal consultant and former Commission on Pornography member, are both warning parents to protect their kids.

"Apple has the responsibility to avoid providing porn content," said Truman, adding "the public (should) turn against them if they do not." Knowing that children are especially vulnerable to the portable forms of transmission iPods can provide, Truman says government should require companies to provide some sort of digital transfer management so parents can control content.

Asked if it planned on providing such safeguards, Apple Corporation responded with no comment.

Reisman sounded an urgent alarm: "iPods will bring pornography into the classrooms, sanctuaries, courtrooms, hospitals, libraries, everywhere. It is well past time for (government regulation) to catch up with runaway technology."

Other pro-family advocates expressed similar concerns over the developement:

Tim Wildmon, president of the Tupelo, Mississippi-based American Family Association, told WND: "Apple needs to demonstrate corporate responsibility to the families of America. They need to offer safeguard alternatives for iPod users. By offering no comment, they show no sympathy to the concerns of many American families."

Syndicated radio talk host Paul McGuire said, "parents need to understand that the porno industry has now declared all-out war on your family and your kids." McGuire is particularly disturbed that the adult industry is targeting a technology popular with children. "Parents need to be warned," he said.

Bob Knight, director of the Culture & Family Institute of Concerned Women for America was even more emphatic: "This is a nightmare for parents who are trying to protect their kids from early exposure to porn. In terms of delivering smut, the hand-held gadgets are already making the Internet look like a quaint old steam engine. Parents need to know that they are potentially putting an X-rated porn shop right into their kid's hands when they buy these (portable video players) for them."

Knight summarized by saying that "parents need to put pressure on companies to offer tamper-proof blocking, and Congress needs to step in as well if the makers don't respond."