Conclusion

Online pornography is considered a contemporary concern that threatens to grow with the advent of new technology. Sexuality, however, is a part of human nature that has and will continue to challenge societies though all ages. It is easy to forget that the current debate over the availability of online sexual content really exists in the context of our struggle to comprehend the paradox of such lewd material – it is historically prudent to accept that individuals will always seek sexual content; however, its characterization as a base and threatening pursuit has legitimized its control.

One only has to look at the business – arguably a booming one – of the online sex industry. The rich medium of the World Wide Web and the immediacy of Internet communication prove to be perfectly fitted to an industry that sells to an eager audience for ‘virtual’ sexual experiences. As technology advances, the network will be able to expand its range of services to provide an ever more enjoyable experience. Improvements in both bandwidth and cybersex technologies will advance these online experiences from static pictures, to video, to virtual experiences.

The true power, and the true fear, of the Internet is its power to connect users and content. Pornography is not new, but the accessibility afforded by the online world is. Societies are struggling to incorporate the new reality of pervasive sexual content, and governments are likewise slow to understand the implications of new technology. As a distinct gap in the general understanding of online content remains in the public, issues such as cyberstalking, pedophilia, and online sexual addiction will continue to haunt us.