The Rise of Cell-Porn

New advances in handset technology have resulted in better visual capabilities for mobile devices, which has lead to a greater content demand among cell users (especially the younger ones). And guess what these hip, young people want access to on their phones? Why, porn of course!

This does not sit well with the telecoms industry though, as operators and service providers comprehend the potential for adult content to get into the hands of minors. This new-found sense of social responsibility is a terrific stance to take...that is until they realize that (according to data analyst Visiongain) adult content transmitted to mobile phones will reach an annual $4 billion by 2006, out of a total annual adult market of $70 billion.

INTRO TO THE MOBILE PHONE:

A mobile phone or cell(ular) phone is an electronic telecommunications device. Most current mobile phones connect instead to the network using a wireless radio wave transmission technology (the exception is satellite phones). These mobile phones communicate via a cellular network of base stations (cell sites), which is in turn linked to the conventional telephone network.

In addition to the standard voice function of a telephone, a mobile phone can support many additional services such as SMS for text messaging, packet switching for access to the Internet, and MMS for sending and receiving photos and video.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS?

Apart from young people spending all their time chatting to their friends and not to you, there are some risks in their use of mobile technology.

A large proportion of new mobile phones have web access, and more recently - mobile TV has been launched. This means that young people can access content from the internet and TV wherever they are, and without parental or teacher supervision.

With the advent of picture and video messaging - young people need to be increasingly careful about the images they share. It is very easy for inappropriate images to be shared around a number of phones, changed and even put online, where it is impossible to get back. This is particularly worrying, if images are used in child abuse sites.

Young people also need to be aware that they put themselves at risk of mobile bullying, or inappropriate intimate contact if they give out their mobile number to people they don't fully trust.

WHAT CAN A PARENT DO?

First, as a parent, you must make the decision of whether or not your child should have their own cell phone or not. This is something that should be considered based on the abilities that a cell phone has. It's not just for talking anymore. Secondly, if your child does have a cell phone make sure you set guidelines and expectations. As we recommend for all electronice devices, a parent must understand the capabilities of the device and set appropriate parameters for it.

There are also mobile phone operators who sell phones with filtering software included, so that children won't access inappropriate websites or content. It is worth checking that your child's phone has this capability. Disney Mobile is a service that provides family safe surfing on the phone. You can get access to a limited selection of family-friendly websites selected by Disney Mobile.

Also, remind your child that any image they send on their mobile can be changed and shared online, and that once they have sent an image they have lost control of it.

Information provided by Frank Meyer and Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center.