KARACHI, Feb 14: In the absence of relevant laws and parental guidance, the Internet is fast exposing children to violent entertainment, thus creating aggressiveness among them.

Dr Aisha Mehnaz, associate professor, department of paediatrics, Dow Medical College, Civil Hospital, presenting a survey report on child pornography on the Internet, during the 16th International Biennial Paediatrics Conference, said the children were exposed to a new mode of exploitation and abuse due to unchecked exposure to pornographic material.

Holding the mushroom growth of net cafes responsible for the serious situation, though yet to be adequately realized by concerned quarters, the paediatrician said over 3,000 research projects and scientific studies between 1960 and 1992 had confirmed the connection between pornography and negative behavioural pattern among children.

“The empirical research on the effects of aggressive pornography shows with impressive consistency in exposure to these material casts a negative effect on attitude towards women,” Dr Ayesha Mehnaz said.

Giving details of the of the survey report, conducted by Child’s Right Committee of Pakistan Paediatric Association in coordination with Save the children, Sweden, she said some 50 net clubs operating in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar were surveyed.

At least 70 per cent of visitors were found to be aged between 18 - 30, 15 - 20 per cent less than 18 years of age and 10 per cent above 30 years with females very few in numbers. All these clubs were stated to be located in busy market places, each with a provision for 10 to 20 PCs, each kept in a separate cubicle. Owners of these clubs were found keeping a low profile.

A significant majority of these owners interviewed by investigators admitted that 20 per cent of their visitors were children below 15 years and watched porno sites (local and foreign) besides playing cyber games, listening to songs, checking e-mail.

Interviews with children, aged between 12 - 18 years of age, showed that the children had come from lower-middle to higher socio-economic background in Karachi and low-income background in Lahore.

Only 30 per cent admitted that they had sought permission from parents for visiting the cafe. 50% children said to have PC at home. Reason for visiting Net Clubs cited by them was absence of PC or lack of Internet connections at home.

Many of them said they either borrowed money from friends or club owner offered them facility on credit.

Rental hours ranged between Rs15 - Rs50. Denial of access to the Internet due to restriction imposed by parents, inefficiency of Internet hours at home, playing games were also cited as reasons to visit cafe.—APP