Mobile phones and computers have given teenagers easy access to porn content and it is leading to crime against women and children, said experts in a discussion on blocking online porn in the capital.
‘Block Online Porn’ was organised by women’s right group Apne Aap to reach out to law students, academicians and activists to discuss the role easy access to websites and mobile sites in saturating the society with porn content.
Experts delved into the legal aspects of pornography in India apart from growing content of violence in child pornography in India.
“Pornography is addictive like alcohol, cigarette and people watching porn become habitual users. The law needs to be changed to block online porn,” said Vijay Panjwani, a senior advocate.
Activists also discussed the consequences of the distribution and use of porn content on women and children, who are abused in the making of porn and consumers who begin to get accustomed to such behaviour.
“The central government should not hesitate to block porn websites the way it has blocked terrorist websites,” added Panjwani. “The government is acting in collusion with companies providing internet services and products and is not taking decisive steps to block online porn.”
Kamlesh Vaswani, an advocate, said laws in India are yet to define pornography clearly, which is the biggest bottleneck in blocking online porn activities.
According to Abhilasha Kumari, director , Apne Aap, easy availability of online porn is directly related to increase in violence against women and children. “It is necessary to address the issue of online porn to curb the menace of flesh trade. In recent cases, offenders were addicted to watching porn or had watched porn before doing the crime and this is a matter of concern,” she said.