Sutherland

Studies have revealed that a number of adolescents are using their cellphones to access Internet sites to download sexual content.

Hi-end phones can detect unblocked wireless networking, otherwise known as WiFi, which are being used by adolescents to navigate Internet sites and record explicit content, according to Marcia Forbes, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Mining and Telecommunications.

The revelation follows the current licensing of the 2.5 GHz, which is entirely for wireless broadband. Research conducted by Forbes revealed that adolescents between the age of 10 and 18 have used their cellphones to download music videos which, she said, influenced adolescent sexuality.

Download

Forbes quoted Heather Horst and Dan Miller's transnational study, The Cell Phone: An Anthropology of Communication, which reported that adolescents used their phones to download sex positions.

"A lot of adolescents access the Internet by cellphone and search for sex and sex positions, so I am aware of the potential problems," she said.

"But, I am acutely aware of the wonderful opportunities access to the Internet can allow children."

A technician at a high school in the Corporate Area, who preferred not to be identified, told The Gleaner that many students use their phones to access the Internet and download virtually anything.

"They usually download pictures, photos and porn videos, and enter chat rooms and show their friends," he said.

He added that the students, age between 11 and 18, used the hi-end phones or portable game devices to download or stream videos for free. Households and establish-ments which do not secure their wireless Internet connection with pass-words enable persons to take advantage of such 'hot spots', as they do not restrict the wireless signal to the house.

Pornography

When Damien, a father of three, was asked if he knew his children could access the Internet using their phones, he replied: "No I didn't know, but if I thought about it I would."

Miranda Sutherland, president of the National Parent-Teacher Association of Jamaica, told The Gleaner that, like Damien, not many parents have considered how the cellphones they buy for their children could allow them access to the Internet.

Sutherland stressed that communi-cation was vital, but stated that the technology of some phones, if activated, could expose children to things such as pornography.

"This is something we need to discuss with the parents and lobby with the phone companies. But, it has to be a parent's decision as to the type of phones they give to their children," she said.

Apple customers look at the new Apple iPhone at an Apple store in Palo Alto, California. - AP