Porn is harmful to those who watch it. It is immoral, teaches wrong ideas and attitudes and can become addictive. The brain becomes resistant to the images and so more and more extreme porn has to be consumed in order for gratification to be achieved and this can unfortunately lead to the consumption of sadomasochistic and child porn.
Porn is harmful to those involved in making it. Most if not all women who partake in it have been abused, sexually assaulted, had no love as a child or had an abusive parent, are dependent on drugs, are slaves or destitute etc. I donât know too much about the industry but it does seem to me that it is as abhorrent, abusive, exploitative as, say, drug gangs which we as a society try to be rid of.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 was written at a time when the internet was in its infancy. Amendments to the Act were made in 2015 but I would suggest they donât go far enough or really take into consideration what we have learnt about paedophilia and online pornography in the last ten years. I canât believe Huw Edwards isnât in prison right now. If he and others didnât demand, it wouldnât be supplied and children and women (and probably men) wouldnât be used to create content. The considerations in sentencing regarding remorse and mental health seems laughable in this case. Also, the idea that Huw got it out of his system and will never do it again is frankly stupid.
Governments should be small and not interfere too much, however, it is my belief that it is out of control and something ought to be done.
ChatGPT said:
- Education and Awareness:
Comprehensive Sex Education: Focus on teaching young people about healthy relationships, consent, and emotional intimacy. This helps to counteract the unrealistic portrayals of sex often seen in pornography.
Media Literacy: Programs that educate individuals on how to critically engage with media, including recognizing the potential harms of pornography and its unrealistic depictions of sex, power dynamics, and relationships.
- Mental Health Support:
Addiction Support: For those who struggle with compulsive consumption, providing accessible mental health resources, addiction counseling, and support groups is crucial.
Therapeutic Interventions: Encouraging those who have become addicted to seek therapy or counseling to address the root causes of their behavior (whether itâs trauma, isolation, etc.) and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
- Stronger Regulation:
Content Moderation: Governments and tech companies can take steps to limit access to extreme and harmful content. This could include stricter age verification processes, as well as monitoring and removing illegal content such as child pornography.
Platform Responsibility: Social media platforms and adult websites should be held more accountable for ensuring they are not promoting exploitative content. This could include harsher penalties for platforms that allow the distribution of abusive or non-consensual material.
- Support for Those Affected in the Industry:
Welfare and Rehabilitation for Performers: Support systems should be set up for those involved in pornography, particularly women who may have experienced exploitation, abuse, or addiction. This could include access to healthcare, rehabilitation, housing assistance, and job opportunities outside of the industry.
Creating Alternative Work Opportunities: Programs that provide education and vocational training for people looking to leave the adult entertainment industry, helping them find healthier ways to support themselves.
- Public Discourse and Community Involvement:
Fostering Open Dialogue: Encourage a more open, honest, and nuanced conversation about the harms of pornography in society, especially in terms of how it can perpetuate unhealthy relationships and unrealistic expectations. This can include discussions in families, schools, and workplaces.
Faith-based or Community Programs: Some people find strength in religious or community-based approaches to combating addiction, promoting healthier sexual attitudes, and building supportive networks.
- Legislation:
Criminalizing Exploitative Content: Strengthening laws to penalize the production and distribution of exploitative material, particularly content that involves minors or non-consensual activities.
Taxation or Regulation of Adult Industry: Some countries have implemented specific taxes or regulations on the adult entertainment industry to fund programs that help those affected or to discourage exploitative practices.