Porn: yes or no? A Choice at the Internet Service Provider & Cellular Company

This for as long as it's been here has been formatted as default availability.

But we regulate other things. Movies, TV, Radio, and even dress codes in schools all have a standard.

And we privately keep internet totally defaulted to "1st Amendment" somehow.

I use the example too of cable TV; it doesn't usually offer the Spice channel by default. And such channels are likely no longer around (I don't know) since this is very commonly available on the internet.

But in the world, in traffic, in offices, and in schools, there is some kind of matrix for understanding how adult content is not socially acceptable.

But it remains.

And the clicks and hits are extremely common in every city of every state everywhere.

There is a map with statistics to prove it.

But anyone you ask will tell you the opposite.

What if there were a choice at the service provider for internet and internet access by phone?

Yes or No?

 

Part of Project 2025 is the resurrection of the Comstock Act of 1873. I'm quite sure that the American Taliban will solve your porn dilemma for you, like it or not.

 

With TV the choice is made by the channel, not by whatever body services the physical network.

On Internet the same choice is made by every web page or other service provider.

Access to internet is more like the access to a TV, not to any specific station or network.

 

Do you think the service provider should offer a choice? I do.

If what you mean is that it isn't possible, that's not true.

 

I don't. Service provider is a gas station, not a bus line, I don't see it as part of its business to deal with my destination.

 

True. I think what I'm suggesting is an option at the outset to limit its appearance in our lives. We should offer this to quell the sense that it is part of our lives ongoing, like pouring out the whiskey in the liquor cabinet.

 

It isn't beyond me to agree that the internet service provider offers a connection to a network.

What I would like is for that to pair with our existing system for rating and censoring, like a rated R movie.

 

Without treating internet differently than other media, we should be able to offer a similar attitude.

But there are lots of checks to ensure the internet remains unadulterated.

If we want to contribute morality to the digital environment, can we do so if we don't also contribute something about the relationship of adult content to morality, promiscuity, and rules and norms?

I think if we have a decision to make, our integrity has a stronger chance.

If we don't have a decision, and we receive this by default we are at a moral disadvantage.

And eye contact becomes a measure of integrity and credibility.

And also, if we get less of it (eye contact), even as a result of everyone at our school or even later in life everyone in our office, is able to create the impression they view adult content by not giving the correct attention or eye contact

we learn that it's normal for them to lie, it's normal for them to click at their whim, and that gives us silent permission to click on ahead; everyone is doing it.

 

What if we offered a system? There could be a gradient; G, PG, PG-13, R, NC, X, XX, etc.

 

I can't imagine why we aren't considering making this optional as a default value for our homelives.

 

Hint: I live in one of these states! -

 

"Is it just me...?"

 

Which one are you?

 

I think minors have too much of an easy access to inappropriate content. Not too good.

 

Regardless of all the statistics presented about the use of porn the assumption that there isn't a choice available isn't true. Over The Air media had no way to control access decades ago. Thus the FCC was born to provide oversight. In the infancy of cable TV there weren't controls available except porn was scrambled unless a fee was paid for viewing. This is still true today and now cable providers have added ways for parental control. The internet is accessible by various means and controls can be and are placed on the type of content downloaded. Just try downloading and watching porn on the computer at the library. It won't happen. Also cell phone manufacturers have installed software in the devices that enables parental controls including usage times and data accumulation. The bottom line is it's up to the consumer as to what they want displayed on their devices be it televisions, computer screens, or smart phones. Quite frankly there is no need for more intervention from government or the Karen's of society.

 

How could this be achieved. Anyone with a computer can search on Google, so how do Google know who you are and your choices.
The only way, is to set filters up on your own device.

But there is still a problem. If you were setting this up today would you block HF. There are threads and posts on here that you may not want younger family members to view. You have verified your age when you opened your account, so any family members can now open it.

The problem goes around in everlasting circles.

 

I certainly agree with you on this one.
In a nutshell, parents need to take responsibility for their children.

 

Service providers will offer an option to exclude adult content from households and businesses who do not wish to include them.

 

There are lots of reasons why a 'Parent' may want to talk to their kids as you are saying.

We protect our children. And adult content doesn't do enough to present as a 'loving' or 'wholesome' medium; it is not values-driven and doesn't contribute to a morals-incorporated kids and parents and family approach.

And with the current 'Default' of adult content being available by searching, we send the message that 'while it's still there, it's not ok' or 'it's only ok sometimes'.

All of that is a vague bogged down mess when you combine it with,

1) your school and your peers
2) your religion
3) your relationships and your understanding of romance and relationship norms
4) whether you take seriously the adults in your life

What needs to happen? NOT parents explain to their kids while the world continues to by default include this with no protections.

What would we lose by offering an option at the service provider?

 

Any business or household can use an internet filter to block whatever they want for their employees, children or themselves. It's easy. Service providers usually link to the filter software.

Likewise, device manufacturers sometimes have options to filter incoming data. And if you have apple devices, you're already in a walled garden.