Morality in Media, Should Mobile Pornography be Restricted?
In these new technological times, should there be restrictions on pornography on mobile devices to protect the inadvertent viewer?
With new mobiles devices turning up everywhere, on planes, on trains, in coffee shops and even in public libraries, it is almost impossible not to get a glimpse of what the person next to you is viewing. But what if what he, or she, is viewing happens to be pornography? Are you expected to just avert your eyes, or should restrictions be placed on pornography on these devices to protect the inadvertent viewer?
An article in the New York Times debates this issue. According to the story, a library recently installed 18 computer monitors with plastic hoods so only the person using the computer had access to the screen. This was in response to complaints from library patrons of people openly viewing pornography. Also, a bill has reportedly been introduced in New Jersey that would make it illegal to play obscene material in cars, such on back-seat DVD players, in order to avoid distracting, or offending, people in passing cars.
What do you think? Is this something that the government should get involved in? Or is a mobile device private property and it is up to the other patrons in the library - or in the next seat on the bus, plane or train - to just avert their eyes? Let us know what you think?
Vanzetta Evans
9:14 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
They can't wait until they get home? Is it that necessary to watch porn on the plane?
Sharon Swanepoel
10:23 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
As someone who likes as little government interference as possible, this is another of those "grey areas" that is tough for me. I'm with what they do in their own home is their own business, but I just can't imagine being comfortable with someone sitting next to me on a plane watching porn on an iPad.
John B
11:27 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Just another topic where common sense will be thrown out the window because a population of folks will argue their "civil liberties" to watch what they want, when they want, where they want, are being violated.
joe bass
7:38 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
why are people so afraid of sex its a natural thing if someone is watching what they want to watch why is it anyones business turn your head are close your eyes like we don't have bigger problems to worry about if your of age you do you.
Sharon Swanepoel
8:32 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
It is also a very private thing Joe. Would you be comfortable with your wife, sister, mother or daughter sitting alone on a bus, plane or train, next to a total stranger who is spacing out on pornography? Would you really be comfortable with that? There is a time and place for everything.
Brian Crawford
11:02 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
There are limits to free speech and personal liberty. The community has the right to set boundaries. The poor first amendment has been abused beyond recognition at this point, it was never intended to protect smut peddlers.
JohnSparrowX
1:58 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
I think it should be illegal. I personally do not want my kids to be infected by pornography - whether inadvertently or not. It will, however, be a tough law to enforce.
Karsten Torch
10:13 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
This isn't something that needs to be handled to this level. It's not legal now to expose yourself in public, and you do have to watch what you say, so why do we expect these rules to be any different? No, the government does not need to get involved. But people should be expected to be responsible for themselves. I know that sounds silly in this day and age, where we can't be expected to be responsible for anything, but yeah, it's time....
Crystal Huskey
11:00 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
There do have to be limits to what you do in public. Otherwise it's not democracy, it's anarchy.
Karsten Torch
1:36 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
And I agree with that. But does it make more sense to say "Don't do that in public" or to limit your rights about what YOUR device can look at?