It seems that adult websites and chat rooms for sexual harassment are not yet diverse enough to satisfy the curiosity of Internet users. The trend of uploading amateur video clips with inappropriate and violent content continues to raise concerns among many.
MySpace, YouTube, Yahoo, Google, and MSN now allow people to gather interesting clips or create their own scripts, film, and post them on their video-sharing sites. YouTube, which launched in December last year, has already attracted over 20 million visitors in May and adds 50,000 new clips daily. This phenomenon is gradually being seen as a new and fascinating form of entertainment but is also becoming a challenge that cannot be overlooked on the Internet.
Carol Kiesman, a teacher in Houlton, Maine, registered her 14-year-old daughter for the virtual club Zoey’s Room so she could chat online with other girls. Later, Kiesman was shocked to discover that her daughter, her 10-year-old son, and some fourth-year students were watching videos of nudity and animal cruelty. “Content like that may be entertaining for adults, but not for children who are only 13 or 14,” Kiesman said.
“Homemade” videos are causing a strange sensation in the virtual world, and their rate of spread is so rapid that even the managers of Yahoo or YouTube cannot keep up. Within minutes, a “work” from a member can be enjoyed by thousands. Alongside “clean” videos about family, sports, and animal love, there are vulgar videos from individuals seeking attention or young women wanting to showcase their bodies.
“We often shake our heads at such clips, but there are similar scenes on TV,” remarked Ellen Harris, who lives in Palo Alto, California. She believes that “homemade” videos provide an opportunity for people to unleash their creativity, though Harris still advises her 13-year-old sister to avoid MySpace.
Many have complained that Google Video is too lenient in accepting almost all types of video clips. A spokesperson for the search service confirmed that they are looking for ways to reduce criticism. However, it seems that what parents deem inappropriate, both YouTube, MySpace, Yahoo, and Google assess as “acceptable.”
MySpace and YouTube are reorganizing their video clips and only allowing members over 18 years old to access them. However, anyone can easily bypass this barrier by misrepresenting their age.
Last month, Yahoo introduced a “safe search” feature that enables parents to block “adult-only” videos. However, the company admits that this mechanism is not yet perfect and is looking to implement image recognition technology to classify members.
T.N.
