educational

Child Pornography: An Unsolvable Problem?

Child pornography is blight on this Industry and upon the face of mankind in general. Not only is it illegal, but damn it, it's wrong. The latest major case has been making headlines in the news this week and you can bet that more such cases will follow - as the government gets tough on online predators and child pornography. But can the government do it alone?

The Latest Outrage
The news was grim: on August 8th, a report came out of Washington that at least 100 "people" had been arrested to date, in the largest anti-child porn bust yet. "Operation Avalanche" as it was officially known, was a two-year undercover sting operation involving the FBI, the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Dallas Police Department.

"This is a blueprint of how federal, state and local law enforcement agencies can work together to protect children in Cyberspace," said Attorney General John Ashcroft; heralding in an increasing era of scrutiny for not only the owners of adult web sites - but for online porn consumers as well.

The government has already convicted the major players, Thomas and Janice Reedy of Fort Worth, Texas on charges of distributing child pornography, with sentences of 1,335 and 14 years respectively. Now the Justice Department is after the consumers and the suppliers of the illegal photographs and child porn videos sold by the Reedys. According to Chief U.S. Postal Inspector Kenneth Weaver, more arrests are planned in this operation which began soon after the Reedy's arrest in September of 1999.

The Chicago Tribune reported the government pretended that the Reedy's business was still in operation, sending email offers of illegal child pornography to their estimated 250,000 to 300,000 worldwide subscribers. Investigators in 37 states performed 144 searches directly as a result of the information gained from this online sting. I find that number to be obscenely high.

As far as the materials that were seized, I just don't know what to say. Videotapes of a 4 year-old girl being raped? These bastards will have fun in prison:

Powerless to Stop It?
As responsible owners and operators of online adult entertainment businesses, we have a special stake in the issue of child pornography. Every time that headline-driven politicians and mothers in Minnesota start to scream "Internet porn is an evil corrupter of our youth!" we as an Industry will receive unwanted attention. While well-intentioned legislators will strive to show their constituents that they're actually doing something to stop this outrage against children, it is a disease that I fear they are powerless to stop. Their attempts will in all likelihood only raise the cost and difficulty of doing legitimate business, and this is an added expense that we can live without.

We may also experience a media-stoked "backlash" against legal pornography causing millions of consumers around the world who would otherwise quite happily (if quietly) enjoy our products to increasingly fear public knowledge of their naughty "hobby" - and that's really bad for business. Besides all of that, these kiddie-porn bastards are sick, and they need to be put away before they mess up an innocent kid for life (or worse). But what can YOU do about it?

As Adult Webmasters, we spend a lot of time surfing, and are exposed to many sites. If you find a site that features child pornography, don't just ignore it; report it. You can report child porn sites easily at Adult Sites Against Child Pornography (ASACP), a non-profit entity created in 1996 by HELMY Enterprises. ASACP has been instrumental in removing over 4100 child pornography web sites since 1996, and has become the largest and most well-known anti-child pornography movement on the web. You can do your part to help end child pornography by visiting ASACP at https://www.asacp.org/ today. It's the right thing to do.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Lexi Morin

Lexi Morin’s journey into the adult industry began with a Craigslist ad and a leap of faith. In 2011, fresh-faced and ambitious, she was scrolling through job ads on Craigslist when she stumbled upon a listing for an assistant makeup artist.

Women In Adult ·
profile

Still Rocking: The Hun Celebrates 30 Years in the Game

In the ever-changing landscape of adult entertainment, The Hun’s Yellow Pages stands out for its endurance. As one of the internet’s original fixtures, literally nearly as old as the web itself, The Hun has functioned as a living archive for online adult content, quietly maintaining its relevance with an interface that feels more nostalgic than flashy.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Digital Desires: AI's Emerging Role in Adult Entertainment

The adult industry has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing new technology. From the early days of dial-up internet and grainy video clips to today’s polished social media platforms and streaming services, our industry has never been afraid to innovate. But now, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaking things up in ways that are exciting but also daunting.

Steve Lightspeed ·
opinion

More Than Money: Why Donating Time Matters for Nonprofits

The adult industry faces constant legal battles, societal stigma and workplace challenges. Fortunately, a number of nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to protect the rights and well-being of adult performers, producers and industry workers. When folks in the industry think about supporting these groups, donating money is naturally the first solution that comes to mind.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

Consent Guardrails: How to Protect Your Content Platform

The adult industry takes a strong and definite stance against the creation or publication of nonconsensual materials. Adult industry creators, producers, processors, banks and hosts all share a vested interest in ensuring that the recording and publication of sexually explicit content is supported by informed consent.

Lawrence G. Walters ·
opinion

Payment Systems: Facilitator vs. Gateway Explained

Understanding and selecting the right payment platform can be confusing for anyone. Recently, Segpay launched its payment gateway. Since then, we’ve received numerous questions about the difference between a payment facilitator and a payment gateway. Most merchants want to know which type of platform best meets their business needs.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Reinventing Intimacy: A Look at AI's Implications for Adult Platforms

The adult industry has long revolved around delivering pleasure and entertainment, but now it’s moving into new territory: intimacy, connection and emotional fulfillment. And AI companions are at the forefront of that shift.

Daniel Keating ·
profile

WIA: Sara Edwards on Evolving Clip Culture and Creator Empowerment

Though she works behind the scenes, Sara Edwards has had a front-row seat to the evolution of adult content creation. Having been immersed in the sector since 1995, she has a unique perspective on the industry.

Jackie Backman ·
profile

Segpay Marks 20 Years of High-Risk Triumphs

Payment processors are behind-the-scenes players in the world of ecommerce, yet their role is critical. Ensuring secure, seamless transactions while navigating a rapidly changing regulatory landscape requires both technological expertise and business acumen.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

The SCREEN Test: How to Prepare for Federal Age Verification

For those who are counting, there are now 20 enacted state laws in the United States requiring age verification for viewing online adult content, plus numerous proposed laws in the works. This ongoing barrage has been exhausting for many in the adult industry — and it may be about to escalate in the form of a potential new AV law, this time at the federal level.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
Show More