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Hidden Dangers On The Information Superhighway
by Matthew Rosenberg, MSW,
CSW
"ARPANET," a computer program designed and implemented
by the United States military in 1969, was the genesis of the Internet
as we know it today. "ARPANET" was designed to enable
computers operated by the military, defense contractors, and universities
conducting defense-related research to communicate with one another
even if portions of the communications process were damaged in a
war.
The internet has developed at an accelerated rate and is currently
uncontrollable. The number of "host" computers (those
that store information and relay communications) increased from
300 in 1981 to approximately 9,400,000 in 1996. Currently there
are over 200 million internet users throughout the worse. Though
this technology has proven to be extremely beneficial to countless
people and in many domains, there have been hidden costs associated
with its advancement. These costs have, until recently, remained
somewhat covert and have not drawn much attention; however, the
long-term ramifications these costs may yield will have a profound
effect upon our society.
The Internet has become a haven for every negative vice and has
promoted the yearning for immediate gratification. Adults, as well
as children and adolescents, can obtain any form or representation
of pornography and erotica at any time. Moreover, they can obtain
a host of other vices such as illegal prescription medicines, narcotics,
weapons, social security numbers, credit card numbers and sex services
within seconds.
Sophisticated sexual offenders have utilized the Internet to select,
locate, and groom potential victims in the security of their own
homes, at a cyber-cafe, or even at the local library. Whereas most
child molesters victimized children they were acquainted with or
related to in the past, they now have unlimited access to potential
victims who are strangers. Finally, we must not lose focus of the
potential for rapists to seek out vulnerable women who may use the
Internet as a means of obtaining support, friendship, and companionship.
Rapists can obtain all the information necessary to carry out their
deviant plans.
Today, the information superhighway can be viewed as the "Autobahn"
of the internet, with room for major improvement and safety provisions.
On a more covert and subtle level, the Internet has also contributed
to the "depersonalization" process already in effect within
our society. It is a mode of communication that cannot, to any significant
degree, relate information on an emotional level. This dynamic enhances
the depersonalization process and creates a dissonance between communication
and normal human interaction. The Internet has also been successful
in further objectifying relationships, women, and sex.
Sexual abuse and deviancy specialists need to become aware of these
dangers associated with the Internet. Moreover, parents, teachers,
police officers, and the judicious system must also be aware of
these dangers and the warning signs of possible victimization. As
you will see in this issue, legalities regarding the Internet have
not been clearly established in our court system. Though the Internet
has an enormous positive potential, it is our aim to increase the
awareness of the numerous hazards associated with its development
and progression.
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