Robert Flores

Robert Flores serves as commissioner on the Congressional Child Online Protection Act Commission. In the following viewpoint, excerpted from testimony delivered to the Congressional Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection, he maintains that existing obscenity laws apply to pornography peddled over the Internet and should be enforced. He claims that Internet pornography harms children and families by increasing the incidence of sexual abuse and addiction. The argument that Internet pornography cannot be regulated because much of it originates in other countries is specious, Flores contends, because most porn is made in the United States and is subject to U.S. obscenity laws.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. How much money does Internet pornography generate, according to Flores?
2. In the author’s opinion, what predominant theme is featured in today’s...