Mobile porn dangerously on the rise

Mobile porn dangerously on the rise

Parents and police have a big cause for worry as the latest video technologies like Apple iPods and camera mobile phones are becoming an increasingly common source of viewing porn by allowing trouble-free downloading of sleazy, adult matter. This is all the more disturbing as unlike a home PC, these devices are portable and so children can download and watch whatever they want without the watchful eye of an elder around.

Porn continues to remain a front runner when it comes to making the most of technological advancements. To give you a clearer picture, Apple Computers took 20 days to reach the 1 million mark for download of video files from its online store. In stark contrast, the web site SuicideGirls, providing free videos of naked models touched the milestone in just around a week.

Apart from websites, even the established flesh-traders like Playboy and Penthouse see a great potential here and hence have decided to join the bandwagon offering movies compatible with these mobile devices.

Harvey Kaplan, an old hand in the Internet porn-industry old hand, confirms that sales are mounting "fast and furious" for his new company, called Xobile, which sells porn on mobiles and portable computers.

Quite a few of the parents may think that they do enough to keep they do enough to keep their children away from this dangerous obsession by keep a constant tab on their computer habits.

However, technology expert Kris Abel has a completely differing view. He believes with the internet providing every minute bit of information on how to get porn or your mobile or iPod, more needs to be done.

One way to try and reduce the chances of the kids falling into such dirty traps is by keeping the computer in a place where everyone can see what the children are downloading, according to the police.

Det. Ian Lamond of the Toronto Police Services Child Exploitation Unit feels that schools may have to ultimately ban camera phones and iPods inside the school premises.

The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association recommend having a rating system in place, akin to those used for movies. But they aren't exactly confident that it would stop users from downloading porn on their handheld devices like mobiles and iPods.

A research firm Yankee Group estimates that the portable porn market in United States could flourish in a big way acquiring $200 million annually come 2009.