The issue on online pornography once again took centre stage when former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad expressed his worries on the disturbing trend of easy access to pornography over the Internet. This is not something that is new, and is a major cause of concern as the Internet with its borderless access is teeming with pornographic material.
It can be said, therefore, that while the Internet allows for easy access to information, it also houses information that is amoral and threatens the cultural fabric of a society.
In the context of Malaysia, these outside influences should be ‘filtered’ accordingly based on our culture, belief and tradition.
We must be vigilant to elements of pornography and smut which are readily available in the cyberworld.
The usage of the Internet should be encouraged to focus on downloading information that is useful and good.
But once this technology is used for amoral activities, then the line should be drawn, based on values that govern our society.
One of the aspects stressed in Islam Hadhari is moral and cultural integrity.
We should ensure the rich eastern values incorporating our multi-religious and multi-racial values be safeguarded at all times, and not be tainted by cultures that degrade society.
Values can be defined as “intrinsic control of behaviour.” If we were to compare this definition to the definition of ‘law’, the difference is obvious.
‘Law’ is ‘the extrinsic control of behaviour’. Therefore, when we tackle issues such as pornography in the cyberworld, the most important aspect of control lies within ourselves, in our values.
We can create as many laws as we want, but it is a well-nigh impossible task to oversee and implement the laws at all times, at all places and on all people.
The only thing that can regulate us is our values.
‘Technoethics’, or the codes of practice in dealing with technology, is becoming imperative in this information age.
This is due to the fact that the rapid development of technology is not only affecting changes in human thought and behaviour, but also stirring up new ethical issues and moral dilemmas.
One such dilemma is of course the lure of online pornography.
Nevertheless, as has been repeatedly stressed, technology, such as the Internet, is a mere tool. It is neutral and has no internal criteria of self-regulation.
Technology also does not exist in a vacuum but within the context of a given culture with beliefs and accepted values, presumably based on religious prescriptions.
The ability to make decisions pertaining to the use of technology by referring to the religious criteria is what ‘technoethics’ is all about.
One of the most prominent aspects of information and communication technology (ICT) is the global communication network, represented by the Internet.
Besides information, person-to-person communication either via e-mail or chatrooms are also available.
With its wide-reaching capabilities, the Internet is not only used to retrieve information, but also to add information to the world communication network.
Basically, the Internet caters for two groups of users, the information providers and information consumers.
Thus, ‘technoethics’ of the Internet, commonly referred to as netiquette, has to be looked at from the two perspectives separately.
As information providers, users need to be responsible in disseminating the truth as well as useful and valuable information.
This is evidently lacking in the global communication network. There are huge numbers of websites propagating amoral activities including pornography.
The freedom of expression is sometimes taken to such an extent that it goes beyond religious and cultural norms.
It should be noted that the ‘freedom to express’ must at all times be coupled with the ‘wisdom to express’.
The lure of online pornography is tremendous.
Many spend hours surfing the Internet for erotic pictures and stories daily without realising they are wasting their time and money.
The worst part is that sometimes it is not of their own, but rather, their department’s or company’s funds.
The addictive nature of the pornographic materials would make them want to repeatedly log on.
As for children, a sordid phenomenon is also unfolding on the Internet, in particular via the chatrooms.
It was reported recently that cyber-paedophiles and child molesters are prowling these discussion groups.
They would introduce themselves into the groups by furnishing a respectable biodata, and slowly enticing the youngsters to indulge in sexually explicit discussions.
The ‘virtual prowlers’ can get into their bedrooms.
The jungle is not necessarily out there anymore. Now it is right in our homes.
There is no substitute for taking good care of our young ones.
Guidance and supervision is still an indispensable part of proper upbringing.
‘Technoethics’ should be inculcated into them as it can be used as a shield by children against these irresponsible prowlers.
Doubtlessly, the best form of ‘technoethics’ is the one based on a strong faith in religion.
As far as ICT is concerned, parents have to be one step ahead of their children. They must somehow monitor the information downloaded by their children.
The Quran commands in verse 6 of Surah al-Hujurat to the effect that: “O ye who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest ye harm people unwittingly, and afterwards become full of repentance for what ye have done”.