Child pornography can be baffling and its definition misunderstood. The definition varies between time of periods and locations. In Europe, photographs of nude children, either taking a bath or standing in a crib are considered “cute,” “funny,” and “memorable.” In the United States, this case would be considered child pornography. For instance, David Urban in 1989 took photos of his wife and 15-month-old grandson, both nude, as she was giving him a bath. Kmart turned him in and he was convicted by a Missouri court.

Interestingly enough, according to the Title 18 of the United States Code, pornography is defined as “any visual depiction, including any photograph, film, video, picture, or computer or computer-generated image or picture, whether made or produced by electronic, mechanical, or other means, of sexually explicit conduct. (http://www.adultweblaw.com/laws/childporn.htm) and sexual conduct is defined as, “(A) sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex; (B) bestiality; (C) masturbation;
(D) sadistic or masochistic abuse; or (E) lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person.” Interestingly enough, simply taking photos of nude children does not fall under this definition. Ironically, many cases of child pornography simply exhibit photographs of nude children. The courts definitely need to further define what should be prohibited under child pornography laws. Is something pornographic that falls under the descriptions above or is it pornography when its purpose is to excite the viewers?

Child pornography does have critical effects on its victims. In addition to the exposure to sexually transmitted diseases, children may experience genital bruising and scarring, depression, withdrawal, and other psychological disorders. With the invention of the Internet, child pornography has been made easier to organize, maintain and trade. Unfortunately, many of the missing children end up in child pornography and/or sex tourism. Sex tourism and child pornography may have the following effects:long-lasting physical and psychological trauma, disease (including HIV/AIDS), drug addiction, unwanted pregnancy, malnutrition, social ostracism, and possibly death. (http://www.state.gov/) Sex tourism usually occurs in countries that are fueled by corruption, poverty, the Internet and the ease of travel. Many of the children trafficked into other countries come from lower economic status. In order to reduce sex tourism incidents, the economy of the country must be improved, people have to be educated about the effects of sex tourism and child pornography and stricter laws must be enforced.