Child pornography

The term child pornography (sometimes referred to as kiddie porn) generally refers to pornography featuring a child; however, the precise definition of "pornography" and "child" varies by region and country. It is widely prohibited by law, and faces the disapproval of most members of society.

Legislation

Production and sale of child pornography is generally illegal in most developed countries, although national regulations vary widely. Some countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and The Netherlands, outlaw mere possession. Others, such as Russia, have no special legislation regarding child pornography. There, production of child pornography is usually prosecuted as child abuse and illegal production and distribution of pornographic material. Illegal distribution of pornography is prohibited, but there is no law governing distribution of child pornography specifically. Downloading and possession of child pornography is not specifically prohibited. In Japan child erotica was legal until 1999 when it became illegal following the passing of Protecting Children Online law.

Related Topics:
Production - Sale - Illegal - Developed countries - National - Regulation - United States - United Kingdom - The Netherlands - Russia - Child abuse - Japan - 1999

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Child porn was de facto and de jure allowed in most American and European countries before the 1980s. During this time porn magazines were published featuring photos of naked children and of children having sex with other children and with adults. These magazines operated somewhat openly and even solicited photos from their readers' families. In late 1970s, using dubious statistics, a number of journalists and researchers attracted attention of the public to child pornography. In 1977 in the United States the Kildee-Murphy proposal prohibiting child pornography was made law. It is argued that it was based on unsubstantiated evidence, exaggerating the number of children involved in child pornography by as much as three orders of magnitude http://www.ipt-forensics.com/journal/volume4/j4_2_1.htm. Several other countries followed with similar legislation. Shortly after these laws were passed the magazines were closed voluntarily, as several publishers claimed that child pornography constituted only a few percent of their business.

Related Topics:
De facto - De jure - 1980s - Magazine - 1970s - Kildee-Murphy proposal

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