Inadvertent exposure to pornography on the Internet: Implications of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks for child development and families
Date
2004
Authors
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Publisher
Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology
Abstract
This essay comprises testimony to the Congressional Committee on Government Reform. The Committee’s
concern was the possibility of exposure to pornography when children and teens participate in peer-to-peer filesharing
networks, which are extremely popular in these age groups. A review of the relevant literature led to three
major conclusions: (1) Pornography and related sexual media can influence sexual violence, sexual attitudes,
moral values, and sexual activity of children and youth. (2) Peer-to-peer file-sharing networks are part of an allpervasive
sexualized media environment. This total environment, including file-sharing networks, leads to a
tremendous amount of inadvertent and unintentional exposure of children and young people to pornography and
other adult sexual media. Peer-to-peer networks and the Internet differ from other sexualized media in that young
people construct important components of this sexualized environment themselves. (3) A warm and
communicative parent–child relationship is the most important nontechnical means that parents can use to deal
with the challenges of the sexualized media environment, including peer-to-peer file-sharing networks. In addition,
open parent–child channels for communicating about sexual and media experiences, sex education at home or
school, and parental participation with children on the Internet are constructive influences. For boys already at risk
for antisocial behavior, parents should carefully monitor and severely limit access to pornography on file-sharing
networks and elsewhere.
2004 Published by Elsevier Inc.
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Keywords
pornography, internet, file-sharing networks, teens
Citation
Greenfield, P. M. (2004). Inadvertent exposure to pornography on the Internet: Implications of peer-to-peer file-sharing networks for child development and families. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 25(6), 741-750.