Camwhoreing and all that fun stuff. (1 Viewer)

[Xayma]

Through His Webcam, a Boy Joins a Sordid Online World

Source: New York Times (Free Registration required)

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So began the secret life of a teenager who was lured into selling images of his body on the Internet over the course of five years. From the seduction that began that day, this soccer-playing honor roll student was drawn into performing in front of the Webcam - undressing, showering, masturbating and even having sex - for an audience of more than 1,500 people who paid him, over the years, hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Mainly food for thought. But also, given that minors can not be protected by the government, should the parents of said children be considered negligent in their responsibilities to protect their children and are parents too liberal with their childrens internet use?

 

[xeuyrawp]

ok, two thoughts here...

1. He's underage, it's a crime, it's degrading to him, and the men that pay him are criminals and perverts. It's potentially hazardous to him by people stalking him, recognising him; as it is said,

Not all victims profit, with some children ending up as pornographic commodities inadvertently, even unknowingly. Adolescents have appeared naked on their Webcams as a joke, or as presents for boyfriends or girlfriends, only to have their images posted on for-pay pornography sites...

It could also be said to be hazardous to a society with an already huge (but undernoticed -- did any of you see Oprah?) problem, which he's just condoning.

2. He's making money and doesn't seemed to really be hurt by it, he's not doing any damage, and he's really just providing a service that would otherwise be replaced by another boy. He's really just another illegal stripper. Guys jacking off at the other end are getting a service, and he's getting paid. At least he's not having sex with them.

I really don't know what to make of it.

 

[Xayma]

2. He's making money and doesn't seemed to really be hurt by it, he's not doing any damage, and he's really just providing a service that would otherwise be replaced by another boy. He's really just another illegal stripper. Guys jacking off at the other end are getting a service, and he's getting paid. At least he's not having sex with them.

I really don't know what to make of it.

It, according to the article, often ends that way (at least for the main person in the article) as each step is only slightly more revealing. You wouldn't go to taking a webcam in your shower the first time. But after going from webcam to shirt off to possibly only in your boxers etc. Over a period of time people can manipulate them.

 

[hiphophooray123]

one word....


HOT!!!!!!

nah but seriously the dude is an honor roll student you would think he would at least have half a brain, and you would think anyone with at least half a brain would realise the danger involved in that. But i guess it's good money

 

[xeuyrawp]

It's weird, but does it constitute crime?

No idea. On his behalf? I think it wouldn't.

If the other people should be reasonably aware of him being underage, they're breaking the law.

It, according to the article, often ends that way (at least for the main person in the article) as each step is only slightly more revealing. You wouldn't go to taking a webcam in your shower the first time. But after going from webcam to shirt off to possibly only in your boxers etc. Over a period of time people can manipulate them.

Yeah, it's true. Despite him being underage and it being the viewers' faults, he seems (based on the interviews) to have been very aware of what he was doing, even though it was a subversive process. It's so sad how he kept thinking that he was making friends -- especially after I've made so many worthwhile (and shitty) friends off the net.