And to think I was embarrassed to explain "Milkshake"
One of the more interesting tasks that I have in my job as a Customer Service rep at the nation's largest wireless provider is to help people understand their bills. No, it is not ordinarily interesting, but once in a while I have to explain to a mom or dad how their little darlin' is downloading ringtones like "Milkshake," "Pump It," "Baby Got Back," or other sexually charged tunes.
Based on recent news, it looks like my job will soon become even more interesting
The cell phone, which already plays music, sends and receives e-mail and takes pictures, is adding a steamier offering: pornography.
With the advent of advanced cellular networks that deliver full-motion video from the Internet--and the latest wave of phones featuring larger screens with bright color--the pornography industry is eyeing the cell phone, like the videocassette recorder before it, as a lucrative new vehicle for distribution.
In recent months, that prospect has produced a cadre of entrepreneurs in the United States hoping to follow the lead of counterparts in Europe, where consumers already spend tens of millions of dollars a year on phone-based pornography.
For the carriers, it is a tricky proposition. Offering pornography would stir a tempest over indecency and possible pressure from regulators or Congress. But conceding the field to third parties would leave millions of dollars on the table.
At present, sales of pornography over mobile phones in this country amount to virtually nothing. But cell phone commerce is on the rise, with sales of ring tones alone expected to reach $453 million this year, according to the Yankee Group, a research firm. The company estimates that by 2009, sales of pornography for phones will hit $196 million, still meager compared with a projected $1.2 billion for ring tones. (citation)
Yup, quite a few pictures of scantily clad women are already available and that's fun to explain, too. But throw nudity into the mix ...
If any of the carriers are smart they will work in some sort of parental control. It's needed now to prevent the cherubs from using services the 'rents don't want them to have. Texting can be blocked, but doing the same with Internet is trickier, and keeping the little ones from other means of purchases are virtually non-existent.
Then there is the issue of morality. I don't want to judge others and the Bible tells us that it is not right to do so -- though Christians are given the right to judge other Christians -- but I am concerned about the spread of pornography and the ramifications this holds for the continued decay of our social fabric. Psychologists will tell you that continued exposure to a stimulus decreases one's sensitivity to it. Actually, the Romans could have told you this. One of the reasons gladitorial games were held is to blunt the impact of violence on the public psyche so war would be more tolerable. It also decreased empathy towards non-Romans or others with differing views. Continued exposure to pornography will make it seem less offensive and thus more acceptable.
Still don't believe? Talk to anyone that was in grade 6 or higher in the late 90s about how incessantly frequent news reports about Monica Lewinski's activities with our then-president affected their perception of certain activities. I know as I was teaching during that time and most students that I worked with said "Well, if the President says it isn't sex ... ." It was interesting to see the change in the relationship paradigm that students had negotiated. Open talk about sex increased, skimpier outfits for girls showed up more often, and there was a lot more casual touching. I guess some sensitivity increased, but not what I would have liked. Now imagine what greater access to porn will change.
