TheInternetandPornography

Introduction DearCardinals,Archbishops,Bishops,MajorSuperiors,esteemedcolleaguesand fellowparticipants,itisanhonorandprivilegetoaddressyouthisday.Thankyou forallowingustopresenttoyou.InthewordsofhisHolinessPopeBenedictXVI, the new technologies pose a great opportunity and this age is being transformed. It is an ever more commonly held opinion that, just as the Industrial Revolution in its day brought about a profound transformation in society by the modifications it introduced into the cycles of production and the livesofworkers,sotodaytheradicalchangestakingplaceincommunicationsare guiding significant cultural and social developments. The new technologies are notonlychangingthewaywecommunicate,butcommunicationitself,somuch so that it could be said that we are living through a period of vast cultural transformation. This means of spreading information and knowledge is giving birthtoanewwayoflearningandthinking,withunprecedentedopportunitiesfor establishing relationships and building fellowship. Let us take these words to heart! TodaysFocus This time together must not only focus on the possibilities that modern technology pose for us and those we serve, but also the perils and problems associated with inappropriate, often troubling and possibly new addictive processes as well. His Holiness also challenges us and the young to be aware of the possible dangersthatthesenewopportunitiesmayposeto usandour very way of being, Entering cyberspace can be a sign of an authentic search for personal encounters with others, provided that attention is paid to avoiding dangers such as enclosing oneself in a sort of parallel existence, or excessive exposuretothevirtualworld.Inthesearchforsharing,for"friends",thereisthe challenge to be authentic and faithful, and not give in to the illusion of constructinganartificialpublicprofileforoneself.

OurTradition Thefocusfortodaymustbeaboutthesafetyandcareofthechildren,theyoung adults,parents,theyoungandtheoldallthoseweserve.Thishasbeenandis ourtradition.Thecurrentcrisismaychallengeusinthisregard,butletusbeclear aboutthiseffortandthisreality.Itisalwaysinourtraditiontocarefortheleast amongst us. [Matthew 25:40] Certainly these days pose new and challenging problemsforallwhousetheInternetandtechnology,andwewillbyimplication be specifically addressing these individuals who parent our children, teach our children, and pastor our children but they themselves as adults might be also overwhelmedbythesechallengesandopportunitiesandtheytoomustbevigilant and sensitive to the possibilities and the problems today associated with the appropriate use of the Internet and technology. Research across cultures and countries indicates that the youth, college students and young adults are the primary users of these new technologies. We would be well served to enter it wisely,completely,andwithduehaste. Our first and primary concern is safety. This has been and is central to our tradition. Children and adults often enter this world without formal education and training in the proper and appropriate use of the Internet and technology. Researchintothenegativeeffectsofthesegiftsdemonstratesthatifweeducate children and ourselves into the ways we might better use these realities, the possibilities of misuse and addiction decrease dramatically. Simply put, research demonstrates that normal Internet and proper use of technology must be a taught discipline like the ability to drive. By way of analogy, we must first be drivenbyanadultwhohaslearnedhowtodrive,wemustfeelsafeandwemust learntherulesoftheroad.Inmostpartsoftheworld,wewouldnevergivea child keys to a car and place him or her behind the wheel without making sure thatthey arematureenough tosee,to viewtheroad,to learnhowtoturnthe car,manageitproperly,toknowhowtoreadamap,usespeedappropriately,and how to safely park and maintain a car. Why do we do differently with the Internet,cellphones,andmoderntechnology? Clearly,inRome,whenyouseehowonedrivesheremanyparentsofRomemay have forgotten to educate their children properly or like many today with the Internet mayhave abandonedanyformaleducation in thebasicsof howtouse the roads and the information highway wisely and prudently but this may not havebeenthewisestformofeducationforuswhohavetogetoutoftheirway
2

for fear, on the streets of Rome and/or on the information highway. Fear reduction and education in these matters is of paramount importance and is about safety on the roads of Rome and on the information highway in the new millennium. ANewWayofRelating ThesecondkeypointintheuseandthemisuseoftheInternetandtechnologyis that we must see this gift in a different light than most other realities that we haveseenandknown.Thisgift,thisreality,isevolvingandchangingaswespeak. This demands a new way of relating and adapting. The minute we wrote this presentation, new technologies and new ways of driving on the Internet have been developed and are demanding different responses and additional guidelines. Most companies, governments, and most universities have what is called planned obsolescence in other words; they know that as soon as a computerissoldandbought;thenextversionthatisquickerandbetterisbeing prepared to replace the one you just purchased. You cannot manage research, you cannot manage business, you cannot keep pace with the new information thatischangingandevolving,ifyoutoodonotadapt.Thisnewreality,therefore, presentsuswithadramaticandnewwayofknowing,relating,andbeing.Ifwe fail to understand this new way and grasp its dynamic nature, our children, parents,priests,ourpeople,andourChurchwillbeatgraverisk.Safetywouldbe and could be placed in jeopardy. Again, basic safety, basic knowledge would be compromisedandwewouldbeleftvulnerable.Wecanstaystagnantorwecan haveprocessesthatchangewiththesenewmodesorprocessesofinformational and relational importance. Without careful attention to this dynamic, our theology and our sense of meaning could be discarded. Children, young adults, parents, teachers, and our priests could be used and discarded as mere objects muchmorequicklyandmorerapidlyinanalreadymaterialistic,hypersexual,and rapidlypacedage. NewRulesfortheRoad Itisessentialthatanynewmannerofbehavingandrelatingmustalsohavenew rulesofusingthistechnology.Assuch,theword,rulesmaynotapply.
3

Attachedtothispresentation,pleasefindonereligiousorderswayofmanaging thesenewpublicdomainsandoneArchdioceseswayofrespondingtothesenew realities.TheseareGuidelinesandassuchwillchangeandneedtochange.Asa caveatorconcretesuggestion,uselanguagethatisadaptable.Guidelinesor PoliciesisawordinEnglishthatconnotesconcretesuggestionswithoutbeing setinstoneorsomethingthatisandwillbeamendedastechnologyand problemsemerge.Aswereferencedbefore,speedlimitsandstoplightsinRome meanonethinghere(ifthereareany)asopposedtoaspeedlimitinLondonor Berlinwheresayprecisionandattentiontoeverydetailandcompliancetakeon newmeaningandshallwesay,enforcement?Intechnologyandintheuseofthe Internet,onesGuidelinesmustbeadaptabletotheeverchangingadvancesin technologywhichoccurandwilloccurfrequently. TheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia(USC,theAnnenbergSchool/Centerfora DigitalFuture)isoneofthepremiercentersintheworldthatmanageand researchinternationaldataontheuseandtrendswithintheInternet.Theyhave extensivedataabouttheInternetforbusinesses,users,andacademicinstitutions, andtheyreport,Through10yearsofstudies,wehaveobservedoneparticularly fascinatingconstant:thatonlinebehaviorchangesrelentlessly,andusersand nonusersdevelopattitudesandactionsthatareconstantlyinfluxastechnology emerges,andthenthrivesorwithers,thisreport,theninestudiesthatpreceded it,andthosethatwillfollow,areourongoingattempttochroniclethis extraordinaryinterplaybetweentechnologyandbehavior."Internationaldataon theuseoftheInternetseemstoindicateatremendousabilitytoengage,relate andbecomehealthierandconnectedtothoseweloveandwithwhomwework, thisnewandreassuringdataisusefulandimportant. AGospelUnderstandingoftheGift FewpresentationsstartwiththisaspectofthegiftednessoftheInternetandthe emerging role of technology, but this is essential in this presentation. New technologies and the Internet itself are truly incredible gifts. This transformation, as His Holiness describes to us, is happening now and will be happening in the foreseeable future. Information exchange is enormous, ever expandingandismoreandmorerapid.Newcellphonetechnologiesarehelping ineveryaspectoftheglobeandhelpingrichandpooralike.FarmersinAfricaare getting up to date prices to better anticipate their market needs while in their very fields that they are harvesting their crops. Wall Street and Main Street
4

are benefiting from immediate and an explosive, omnipresent business and marketing information. Communication, classrooms, relationships, business meetings,conferences,information,entertainmentthatisconvenient,immediate and universally accessible makes this new reality an everunfolding rich and seeminglyendlesspossibility.Itisalsocriticaltonotpanic. Additionally, Most researchers are finding healthy and appropriate use of the Internet leads to more social connection not less and healthier relationships, in general. One has to avoid what one researcher calls, jovenoia similar to the English word, paranoia. There is little evidence to suggest that the Internet or technologyishorrible,evilorawfulforouryouthorus.Suchlanguageandsuch apanicareclearlyunwarranted.Incontrastthereisgrowingdatatosuggestthe opposite. InthewordsoftheHolyFather,weareundergoinganotherrevolution,similar to many such revolutions in the history of mankind and our planet. This is the grace of this moment in history and this is also the very challenge and the very perilofthismoment.Ifwefailtograspthisgift,wefailourselves,ourpeoplein ourcare, andwefailourGod,bynotrespondingtothe mandateof theLord in the Gospel of John, to care for those I have given you. This is the Gospel understandingofthisuniquegiftthatwearepresentedwithintheInternetandin the emerging role of technology. Early research across cultures and countries tendstosupportthesimpleyetcentralnotionthattheInternetenhancesfamilial and social bonds. This data has now been replicated and is now becoming well acceptedinformationaboutinternetuse.TheArabSpringistestimonytothe possiblebenefitsinthepoliticalarenaoftheuseoftechnologyandtheInternet. UnderstandingTentativeandNewData Aswithanygift,therecanbeadarkside.Reliableinformationandnewscanoften be sacrificed and research across cultures shows this suspicion of the Internet. Additionally,canonlawandourHolyFatherhavemadeitclearthattheparents must be the first teachers in all matters of sexuality. However, research across culturesclearlyindicatesthattheyarenotdoingthis.Thisisamajorinternational problemandconcern.Bishops,pastors,andteachersneedtobequiteclearthat theycannottalkaboutpreventingchildabuseuntilandiftheyknowthatthechild has been taught of the essential Godgiven grace, beauty, and giftedness of sexuality. Research also indicates that if a child first views and or experiences
5

sexualitybeforeunderstandingitfromhisorherparents,thensexualityisframed or etched into them in an unhealthy or maladaptive template. The Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health in the United States and International researchers across various countries have issued warnings to teachers and parents on the proper and controlled use of the Internet and technology,i.e.cellphones.Testingsextingandtheimproperuseofthesemedia isagrowingtrendandconcern.Mobilepornisanewanddangerouslysimple form of sex slavery and trafficking with women and children. Parents and teachers needto exercise their traditional roles but now in a new medium with newapproaches. Itappearsthatthebrainanditsdevelopmentarebeingnegativelyaffectedbythe use, overuse, and misuse of these realities. New data is emerging everyday and no one study has definitely defined the term or diagnoses of an Internet addiction. But early data is suggesting that too early use of technology and repeated overuse of technology could be having negative effects on the neuro development of children and teens. Apparently, early data seems to suggest uncontrolledeffectsonchildrenseemtoinhibitmoreapparentandinterpersonal relational abilities, eye movement and attentiveness, inabilities to maintain face to face communication, attentiveness, and verbal skills. Additionally, any predispositions to other mental disorders seem to become more exacerbated, e.g. depression or social deficit disorders. More strikingly, researchers are beginning to see neural pathways in the brain that mimic drug addictions and seemtoindicateamoreinsidiousandanewpossibleaddictivenatureinInternet pornographicuse. In summary, prevention measures to halt early exposure are essential but also early intervention is highly recommended in problematic use and behaviors before one sees a full blown addiction to the Internet itself and Internet pornography. Hence, the earlier the intervention is made with this disease, the easier the ability to treat and manage it. This point cannot be overstated. The goodnewsinthisrealityisthatwehavemanagedwelltheaddictionsofalcohol anddrugsinourchurch,inourclergy,andinourpeople;inthisregard,wedonot havetoreinventthewheel.Weknowthisrealityquitewell.However,wehaveto utilizethatknowledgethatwealreadypossessanduseitearliernotlater.Thiswe know and this we have done well in our past. We cannot forget that as we talk moreexplicitlyaboutallthatwemaynotknow.
6

TheDifferencesinthisNewReality Data across countries and cultures seems to indicate that the young in overwhelminglylargenumbersarefullyengagedinInternetuseinacademicand inhomesettings.Usevariesaccordingtoavailabilityandsocioeconomicrealities but when it is available, the Internet provides for a new and extensive way of relatingacrossagegroups.Itisalsoclearthattheoldertheage,thelesstheyuse it; interestingly new crosscultural data suggest consistent little interest in the oldergenerationsintheInternetsutility.Thisisalarmingdataforthisgroupsince theinformationagemayleavemanybehind.Interestingly,also,fewerpeopleare finding the Internet a good thing for cultures and societies, in general (68% downto57%). In view of this, several new differences in the emerging use of technology may cause us to pause and have serious concern and alarm. One new and key differenceintheuseandabuseoftheInternetisthefactthatonesbasicsenseof realitymayoftencomeintoquestionquickly.Letsdiscussthisabitmore.Several aspects of reality testing or to be oriented to reality might typically include thefollowing: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Knowledgeofcurrenttimeandspace Conventionalviewsofself Accurateviewsofself Abilitytoaccuratelyinterpretotherspresence Abilitytoanticipateconsequencesofactions/behaviors Thinkaboutandbehaveappropriatelyinvarioussituations

TheInternettheoveruseandconstantuseofitputsmanyoftheseordinary waysofrelatingtoreality self,othersandtheenvironment into question. I oftenfeellikeIamtheonlyoneintheworld.Often,Internetaddictsorthose engagedinproblematicbehaviorsontheInternetbecomeimmunetothebasics oftimeandspaceRealityescapesthem. DefiningProblematicVersusAddictiveBehaviors Additionally,Internetaddictsseemtolacktheabilitytoknowhowtodrivedown this information highway without getting into serious trouble, without continuouslyfallingintoapitorhole.Theyfailtoliterallyseetheroadaheadof them.Ifwelookattheverymeaningoftheword,pitfall,itisdefinedassuch,
7

the Internet becomes a Pitfall or Pit to addicts because its a trap that is carefully camouflaged and used to capture and hold men or animals., it can be andoftenisatraporsnareoranoteasilyrecognizeddangerordifficulty. But,letsnotpanic,weknowthis!Problematicuserscanandoftendoseethatit isaproblem.Theyseethattheyhavefallenintoapittheyaskforhelp.They areabletoclimboutofthepitoraskforhelpindoingso.Thekeydifferencewe seeinaddictiveprocessesversusproblematicprocessesisintheabilitytoseethe needforhelpandtoseekhelp.Thisselfreflectivecapacitycanbothbeassessed anddeveloped.Problematicbehaviorsmaybecomeaddictive;addictivebehaviors areclearlyproblematic. WhataretheCommonSymptomsofanyAddiction? DenialIcantseeitItsnotaproblem. ControlIcantcontrolmyactionsandfunctioningitcontrolsme. Timeisirrelevant;Iloseasenseoflimit,senseofwhoIam,others,place Relationshipsarechanged,damaged,neglected,andhurt Attemptstolimitthebehavioroftenfail Needmoretogetthesameeffecttolerance Neglectofthenormaldaytodayactivities

TheUseofPornography(PleaseseeHandoutsforStatistics) TheCrimesagainstChildrenLabattheUniversityofNewHampshirerecommends thefollowing: Thepublicityaboutonlinepredatorsthatpreyonnaivechildrenusingtrickery andviolenceislargelyinaccurate.Internetsexcrimesinvolvingadultsand juvenilesmoreoftenfitamodelofstatutoryrapeadultoffenderswhomeet, developrelationshipswith,andopenlyseduceunderageteenagersthana modelofforciblesexualassaultorpedophilicchildmolesting.Thisisaserious problem,butonethatrequiresdifferentapproachesfromcurrentprevention messagesemphasizingparentalcontrolandthedangersofdivulgingpersonal information. Developmentallyappropriatepreventionstrategiesthattargetyouthdirectlyand focusonhealthysexualdevelopmentandavoidingvictimizationareneeded.
8

Theseshouldprovideyoungeradolescentswithawarenessandavoidanceskills, whileeducatingolderyouthaboutthepitfallsofrelationshipswithadultsand theircriminalnature.Particularattentionshouldbepaidtohigherriskyouth, includingthosewithhistoriesofsexualabuse,sexualorientationconcerns,and patternsofoffandonlinerisktaking.

Avoiddescriptionsoftheproblemthatcharacterizevictimsasyoung childrenoremphasizeviolenceanddeception. Beclearaboutwhysexwithunderageadolescentsiswrong. Focuspreventioneffortsmoreonadolescents,lessonparents,and franklyonconcernsrelevanttoadolescents,includingautonomy, romance,andsex. FocuspreventionmoreoninteractiveaspectsofInternetuseandless onpostingpersonalinformation. Educateyouthaboutcriminalbehaviorandchildpornography. Developtargetedpreventionapproachesforthemostatriskyouth populations. Assessforpatternsofriskyonlinebehavior.

Whatdowedointhefaceofthesestatistics? Itisessentialtorecognizethecomplexityofissues,beinformedaboutthisdata, andrelaythistoourchildren,teachers,parents,andpriests. First,whyistheInternetsoproblematic(DelmonicoandGriffin)?Itis: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Interactiveitseemsrelational Inexpensivenothingworsethanseeminglyfreeexcitement Imposingthereissomuchtochoosefromontheweb Integralitseemstobepartandparcelofeverydayactivity Isolatinghamperhumaninteraction Intoxicatingseemstoaffectpartofthebrainandbodythesamewayas drugs

SomecallthistheOnlineDisinhibitionEffect: Youdontknowme Youcantseeme

Seeyoulater Itsallinmyhead(Fantasydetachedfromreality) Itsjustagame Itsjustfun Weareallequals

Some even suggest that there is an Internet Addiction Disorder IAD and they evenspecifythesubtypeswithinit,(ifitexists,itmaybelikenedtothefollowing). FourSubtypes: 1. 2. 3. 4. CybersexAddiction CyberrelationalAddiction InternetSpending,Gaming,orGambling InformationalOverload

ClergyandtheInternet Clergy across faiths and across cultures are well aware of the struggles of their parishioners, students, and all those that they serve. Seminarians and clergy themselvesarenotimmunetothisproblem.Thereislittleresearchatthistimeto suggest any hard facts. However, initial impressions from some other denominations seem to indicate that those who struggle with other addictions might be more vulnerable about 56% of clergy with other addictive disorders, 88%ofthesemenreportproblematicuseoftheInternet,about51%ofworking pastors from other faiths report being tempted by Internet pornography. Additionally, in this same sample, 37% of pastors report cyberporn as being a current struggle. About 57% selfreport compulsive cyberporn use. The most significantsignsofthisvulnerabilityareissuesrelatedtolonelinessandisolation, thelackofselfcare,higherexpectationsofthemselves,entitlement,andlackof education about this aspect of the Internet, and a significant ability to compartmentalize themselves split between selfimage and image of God, feelingsofshame,hypocrisy,andunworthiness.Ifthisdataissupportedinfuture research,itseemstosuggestthatclergyintheRomanCatholicChurchwillneed bettertrainingandeducationonthisissue. Prevention

10

Preventionisessentialtounderstand.Unlikeanynewinventionthathasoccurred inthesepastcenturies,thewebandmoderntechnologycanhelpusinnumerous known and yet to be seen efforts in our pastoral evangelization and in the pastoralcareofthoseweserve.Italsochallengesusinthesesameways.Travel that took months just a century ago, takes seconds; communication that was difficult and often laborious now is easy and immediate. Child abuse statistics across cultures and countries suggest the same reality about whom and where prevention needs to takes place. Overwhelming data suggest the same people, the fathers, stepfather, uncles, boyfriends, mothers and sisters of the children beingtraffickedintochildpornandintochildslaveryarebeingsoldandusedby the people they know and the people who are supposed to be caring for them. Thisfactneedscriticalattentionandresearch. AddictiontotheInternet,technology,andinallofitsmanifestationsseemstobe like any other addiction that we have discovered in our societies. Education is paramount in prevention. Knowledge can and does lead to better and healthier useofthesenewformsofcommunication.Earlyinterventionsworkbest,butany intervention helps the individual in the bonds of this new form of an ancient struggle with the human spirit. Research is just beginning to comprehend this issueandmoreinformationisunfolding,aswespeak.Certainculturesseemmore vulnerable (Asian and American) and certain individuals with other cooccurring (Depression, ADHD, conflict in family life) or preexisting conditions seem to be moreatriskforproblematicandaddictiveuseofthisnewtechnology.Theseare earlydataresultsandmustbeseen,assuch.Additionally,weknowthatwomen unlikemen(25%versus5%)whoengageincyberrelating/datingtendtoactually meetupwiththesepeopleoutsideofthechatroomswhereincreasedphysical andsexualviolencehappensmoreregularly.Ourchurchesandofficesfilledwith wonderfulwomenneedtobewarnedaboutthisreality.Additionally,advocacyin the public arena is necessary to look at how much money is being made in the porn industry. Russia, USA, Germany, Sweden, and Spain seem to be the countrieswherethemostpornismadeandwheretheprofitsaregoing. This presentation is also about ways that we can manage something new together.Thefamilytheparentsdeterminesthewayeachhouseholdisrun. This is the basics in our own canon law and needs to be the first place where a healthy sexuality discussion must first occur. If children first hear and see pornographicimagesorevenmessagesaboutchildsexualabusepreventionthat is the template for their life. This fact needs to be clearly understood and
11

corrected.Thisbecomescrucialnowthatweknowthatpredatorslureteensinto meeting because they use their fascination with their sexuality against them. Teens were often not treated violently initially; the research indicates that they oftenareinterestedinsexualmattersandthisinterestthepredatorusesagainst them.Preventionprogramsneedtobeawareofthisdata.But,wealsoknowthat childsexualabuseontheInternetisstrikinglysimilartomostchildsexualabusein society. Parents, relatives, uncles, stepfathers, and individual who know these childrenwellaretheoverwhelmingnumbersoftraffickersthesechildren.This istrueinalmostthesameshockingnumbersof7580%. Most men and women across research samples and across cultures report that theydidNOTlearnaboutsexualityfromtheirparentsbutfromtheirpeers,their friends or siblings, or their sameaged relatives. The Church can be a powerful exampleofculturalchangebyempoweringparentstoassumetheirnaturalrole. Education on normal sexuality and healthy use of the Internet is essential to prevention efforts. The Internet provides us with the challenge and opportunity to protect each other and it also might be used for healthy education in these matters! AgrowingnumberofpeoplearepromotingInternetsafetyeducationinaneffort tohelpkeepyoungsterssafefromInternetsexoffenders.Butsomeofthe informationintheirlectures,pamphlets,videos,andwebsitesdoesnotreflect whatresearchershavelearnedabouttheimportantfeaturesofthesecrimes. HereareevidencedbasedsuggestionsofhowtomakeInternetsafetyeducation materialsmoreconsistentwithcurrentresearch(CrimesAgainstChildrenLab, UniversityofNewHampshire). 1in25youthinoneyearreceivedanonlinesexualsolicitationwherethe solicitortriedtomakeofflinecontact. Internetoffendersmanipulateyoungpeopleintocriminalsexual relationshipsbyappealingtoyoungpeoplesdesiretobeappreciated, understood,takerisks,andfindoutaboutsex. Accordingtoresearchlookingatcrimesendinginarrest,violenceoccurred inonly5%ofcases.Inmostencounters,victimsmeetoffendersvoluntarily andexpectsexualactivity,becausetheyfeelloveoraffectionforthe persontheyhavebeencorrespondingwith.Typically,theyhavesexwith
12

theadultonmultipleoccasions.Mostofthesecrimesarestatutoryrather thanforciblerapes. Internetoffenderstargetteenswhoarewillingtotalkonlineaboutsex. Becarefulaboutwhoyougivepersonalinformationtoandwhatkindsof thingsyoushare. Beverycarefulwhatyoudowithsocialnetworkingsitesorpersonalweb pages.Althoughmostvictimsgovoluntarilytomeetandhavesexwith Internetoffenders,thesearenonethelessserioussexcrimesthattake advantageofinexperiencedandvulnerableyoungpeople.

Thefollowingaresomeonlinesafetytipstosharewithchildren: 1. Setuprules:Postclear,simple,easytoreadrulesonornearthemonitor. CreateyourowncomputerrulesorprintouttheInternetSafetyPledge frommanygoodsites.Youandyourchildrenshouldreviewthis periodically. 2. Usefilters:Considerusingfilteringormonitoringsoftwareforyour computer.Lookintosafeguardingprogramsoroptionsyouronlineservice providermightoffer.Thesecanincludemonitoringorfilteringcapabilities. Haveyourchildrenusechildfriendlysearchengineswhencompleting homework. 3. GuardUse:Astheparent,theInternetaccountsshouldbeinyourname, andyoushouldhavetheprimaryscreennameandcontrolpasswords.Do notallowchildrentocompleteaprofileforaserviceprovider,andmake suretheirscreennamesarenondescriptenoughthatastrangermaynot knowtheuserisachild.Sexoffendersusesitesregularlyandposeas childrenandlookforchildren 4. Checkoutprivacypolicies:Alwaysreadaprivacypolicybeforeyouoryour childrenprovideanypersonalinformation.AlsomakesurethataWebsite offersasecureconnectionbeforegivingcreditcardinformation.Websites forchildrenarenotpermittedtorequestpersonalinformationwithouta parentsorguardianpermission.Talktoyourchildrenaboutwhatpersonal informationisandwhyyoushouldnevergiveittopeopleonline.
13

5. Talkaboutthedangersofemailandchat:Ifyourchildrenusechator email,talktothemaboutnevermeetinganonlineunknownfriend. Womenversusmenaremuchmorelikelytomeetupwithsomeoneonline (2530%versus25%) facetoface.Talktoyourchildrenaboutnot respondingtooffensiveordangerousemailandunwantedchats.Report anysuchcommunicationtolocallawenforcement.Donotdeletethe offensiveordangerousemail;insteadturnoffthemonitor,andcontact locallawenforcement.Knowwhomyourchildrenareexchangingemail with,andonlyletthemusechatareasthatyouhavevisited.Parentsand guardians,monitoronlineasyouwouldontheplayground! 6. Knowwhatisgoingon:Keepthecomputerinthefamilyroomoranother openareaofyourhome.Letyourchildrenshowyouwhattheycando online,andvisittheirfavoritesitesorchatroomswiththem.Ifyoususpect onlinebullyingorstalkingorsexualexploitationofachild,reportittoyour locallawenforcementagency.TheNationalCenterforMissing&Exploited Children(NCMEC)hasasystem,foridentifyingonlinepredatorsandchild pornographersandcontributingtolawenforcementinvestigations.Leads forwardedtothesiteareacknowledgedandsharedwiththeappropriate lawenforcementagencyforinvestigation. Byfollowingthesetips,parentscanhelpkeeptheInternetasafeplacefortheir childrentolearn,growandplay.Parentsstillneedtobeparents. Weendwherewebegan,hisHolinesssays,Believerswhobearwitnesstotheir mostprofoundconvictionsgreatlyhelppreventthewebfrombecomingan instrumentwhichdepersonalizespeople,attemptstomanipulatethem emotionallyorallowsthosewhoarepowerfultomonopolizetheopinionsof others.Onthecontrary,believersencourageeveryonetokeepalivetheeternal humanquestionswhichtestifytoourdesirefortranscendenceandourlonging forauthenticformsoflife,trulyworthyofbeinglived.Itispreciselythisuniquely humanspiritualyearningwhichinspiresourquestfortruthandforcommunion andwhichimpelsustocommunicatewithintegrityandhonesty. Aswehavewarnedyou,sowepraythatyouarecarefulinthestreetsofRome butalsoonthenewInformationHighway. Thankyou.

14

 References 1. WolakJ,MitchellK,FinkelhorD.Onlinevictimization:5yearslater. Alexandria,VA:NationalCenterforMissing&ExploitedChildren; 2006.Availableat:http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV138.pdf. 2. WolakJ,FinkelhorD,MitchellKJ.Internetinitiatedsexcrimesagainst minors:Implicationsforpreventionbasedonfindingsfroma nationalstudy.JournalofAdolescentHealth2004;35(5):424.e11424.e20. 3. WolakJ,FinkelhorD,MitchellK,etal.Online"predators"andtheirvictims: Myths,realitiesandimplicationsforpreventionandtreatment. AmericanPsychologist2008;63(inpress). 4. Ybarra ML, Mitchell KJ, Wolak J, Finkelhor D. Internet prevention messages: Targeting the right online behaviors? Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine 2007; 161(2); 138-145.

15

SomeBasicStatistics: Inordertobetterunderstandtheserealities,letsbeginbylookingatsomebasic data.Thefollowingslidesanddetailsmayoverwhelmandhenceyouneedtobe warnedthatwhatyouareabouttoviewmaydisturbyouenormously.Letusstart withbasicinformationabouttheuseoftheIntentandcellphones.In the United States, wirelessInternetuseratesareespeciallyhighamongyoungadults,andthe laptop has replaced the desktop as the computer of choice among those under age30. 81%ofadultsbetweentheagesof18and29arewirelessInternetusers.By comparison,63%of3049yearoldsand34%ofthoseages50andolder accesstheInternetwirelessly. Roughlyhalfof1829yearoldshaveaccessedtheInternetwirelesslyona laptop(55%)oronacellphone(55%),andaboutonequarterof1829 yearolds(28%)haveaccessedtheInternetwirelesslyonanotherdevice suchasanebookreaderorgamingdevice. Theimpactofthemobilewebcanbeseeninyoungadults'computer choices.Twothirdsof1829yearolds(66%)ownsalaptopornetbook, while53%ownadesktopcomputer.Youngadultsaretheonlyagecohort forwhichlaptopcomputersaremorepopularthandesktops. AfricanAmericanadultsarethemostactiveusersofthemobileweb,and theiruseisgrowingatafasterpacethanmobileInternetuseamongwhite orHispanicadults. Cellphoneownershipisnearlyubiquitousamongteensandyoungadults,and muchofthegrowthinteencellphoneownershiphasbeendrivenbyadoption amongtheyoungestteens. Threequarters(75%)ofteensand93%ofadultsages1829nowhaveacell phone. Inthepastfiveyears,cellphoneownershiphasbecomemainstream amongeventheyoungestteens.Fully58%of12yearoldsnowownacell phone,upfromjust18%ofsuchteensasrecentlyas2004. Internetuseisnearubiquitousamongteensandyoungadults.Inthelastdecade, theyoungadultInternetpopulationhasremainedthemostlikelytogoonline.

16

93%100%ofteensages1217goonline,asdo93%ofyoungadultsages 1829.Onequarter(74%)ofalladultsages18andoldergoonline. Overthepast10years,teensandyoungadultshavebeenconsistentlythe twogroupsmostlikelytogoonline,evenastheInternetpopulationhas grownandevenwithdocumentedlargerincreasesincertainagecohorts (e.g.adults65andolder). Thenewrealityofcyberbullyingisdevastatingmanyteensandfamilies withreportedhigherratesofsuicide. Additionally,textingonacellphoneisamajorproblemespeciallywhennot supervisedbyparents.Earlydatasuggestthatjustlimitingtheuseand limitingwhenchildrenusetheirphonepreventsuseinthemiddleofthe night;itthuspreventsprolongedperiodsofsleepdeprivation,whichmany linktohighersuicideratesinteens;controllingtheuse,timingandaccess tocellphonesiscrucialdatahere. Textingalsopresentsnewproblemswithoveruseofthehandmuscles, whichiscausingmuscularproblemsinthehands,accidentsontheroadand onsidewalks.
17

Handouts: SomeresearchersindicatethattheamountofpornographyontheInternetcan bedifficulttofathom.Atotalof4.2millionwebsitescontainpornography.Thatis 12percent(12%)ofthetotalnumberofwebsites.Thereare100,000websites thatofferchildpornographyand1in7youthsreportbeingsolicitedforsexonthe Internet. InternetPornographyStatistics Pornographicwebsites Pornographicpages Dailypornographicsearchengine requests Dailypornographicemails Internetuserswhoviewporn Receivedunwantedexposuretosexual material 4.2million(12%oftotalwebsites) 420million 68million(25%oftotalsearchengine requests) 2.5billion(8%oftotalemails) 42.7% 34%

Averagedailypornographicemails/user 4.5perInternetuser MonthlyPornographicdownloads(Peer 1.5billion(35%ofalldownloads) topeer) DailyGnutella"childpornography" requests Websitesofferingillegalchild pornography 116,000

100,000

Sexualsolicitationsofyouthmadeinchat 89% rooms

18

Youthswhoreceivedsexualsolicitation 1in7(downfrom2003statof1in3) Worldwidevisitorstopornographicweb 72millionvisitorstopornography: sites Monthly InternetPornographySales TimeontheInternet PornographyTimeStatistics Everysecond$3,075.64isbeingspentonpornography. Everysecond28,258internetusersareviewingpornography. Everysecond372internetusersaretypingadultsearchtermsintosearch engines. Every39minutes:anewpornographicvideoisbeingcreatedintheUnited States. Pornographyrevenuesarenotnecessarilyrankedaccordingtopopulation.China toppedthelistin2006withmorethan$27billioninpornographyrevenues. However,SouthKorea,onlythe26thmostpopulousnationonearthaccordingto theU.S.CensusBureau,isnextinlinewithmorethan$25billioninpornography revenues.TheInternetisnotthemostpopularformofpornographyinthe UnitedStates.Videosalesandrentalsaccountedfor$3.62billioninrevenuein 2006whileinternetpornographyrakedin$2.84billion. ChildrenInternetPornographyStatistics Accesstopornographyisavailablefromearlyon.Theaverageageofachildsfirst exposuretopornographyis1114yearsold.
19

$4.9billion

ChildrenInternetPornographyStatistics AverageageoffirstInternetexposureto 1114yearsold pornography LargestconsumerofInternet pornography 1517yearoldshavingmultiplehard coreexposures 816yearoldshavingviewedporn online 3549agegroup

80%

90%(mostwhiledoinghomework)

717yearoldswhowouldfreelygiveout 29% homeaddress 717yearoldswhowouldfreelygiveout 14% emailaddress Children'scharacternameslinkedto thousandsofpornlinks InternetPornographyUserDemographics Pornographyconsumersaredividedfairlyevenlybyagebutnotbyincome. Thosemakingmorethan$75,000ayearrepresent35percentofthosepurchasing pornography.Another26percentofpornographyconsumersmake$50,000to $75,000peryear. Ageisnotamajorfactor.Pornographyconsumersarefairlyevenlydivided.Inthe UnitedStates,individualsbetweentheagesof35to44consumethemost pornography(26percent),andindividualsbetweentheagesof18to24purchase theleast(14percent). 26(IncludingPokmonandAction Man)

20

U.S.AdultInternetUserDemographicsIncome Income Under$15K $15K$25K $25K$35K $35K$50K $50K$75K $75K+ % 6.23% 6.59% 9.55% 16.59% 25.58% 35.30%

USAdultInternetUserDemographicsAge

Age 1824 2534 3544 4554 55+

% 13.61% 19.90% 25.50% 20.67% 20.32%

22