a segment of my media letter

I write to you as a consumer of internet advertisements and website information with concerns about the advertising practices of pornography companies. My intent is to find solutions to a destructive epidemic that is plaguing individuals, families and communities all over the world. My plea is for action to be taken to protect the innocent from exposure to the harmful effects of pornography on the internet. Websites with pornographic material could be avoided by those who wish to stay away from it if these sites had an identifying element such as “xxx” on the end of the web address or a pop up warning for advertisements with pornographic content that gives the viewer the option of closing the page. “Hulu”, a website which supplies television programs to viewers through internet streaming, has pop up warnings requiring a password for access to “R” rated shows, allowing consumers to decide if they want this content to enter their mind. A similar method could be employed with pornographic sites and advertisements to facilitate avoidance of this material for those who desire it.
Our country is founded on the rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” for each citizen. The freedom to know, and therefore choose, what media we will partake of is a liberty that should be facilitated by our government for both individuals who desire to view pornographic material and those who do not. The liberty to consume pornography should not, however, supersede the right of life and liberty to children who are often the victims of sexual criminals, addicted to pornography or of dysfunctional families torn apart by the destructive forces of porn. The innocent of this nation have rights as much as the powerful and deserve protection as future citizens and leaders of our country to pursue and live happy lives, with out pornography. My request is that we may pursue a path that leads to the happiness of individuals, families and nations through avoiding the exposure of the innocent to the insidious clutches of pornography through simple regulatory means such as content warnings with password access to advertisements and requiring identifying endings for pornographic websites.