Child Porn Among Fastest Growing Internet Businesses

This makes me sick at my stomach - but we need to be aware that a sick industry is growing in this country and we all must take steps to stop it.

In just a few years, child pronography has become a huge multi-million dollar industry online. With digital technology and web cameras, it is inexpensive and easy. Buyers can get the pornography for free, or they can use credit cards to purchase instant access to the photos/videos.

Child pornography is defined as the visual image of infants, toddlers, and children under age 18, in sexual poses or in explicit sexual activity. These are not adults dressed up as children. Many images depict violence such as bondage, rape, or torture. Although most pornographic images are of girls, the number of boys is increasing.

Of those in possession, 83% had pornographic material that involved children between ages of 6 and 12; 39% had material involving children between ages 3 and 5; and 19% had images of infants or toddlers under age 3.

It is estimated that there are 100,000 sites on the web, and more are forthcoming. Help us stop this disgusting commercial enterprise.

Check out CyberTipline at www.cybertipline.com - you can join those reporting the almost 106,176 incidences online.

Also visit The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Established in 1984, NCMEC works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to provide services for families and law enforcement. visit them at http://www.missingkids.com.