Box 1.2 Themes pervasive throughout the report Each of the following themes becomes apparent in the discussion and analysis presented in Chapters 2 through 13. They are presented here to provide the reader with "signposts" about material to come. On Inappropriate Material The term "pornography" often serves as a proxy in the political debate for a wide range of ill-defined sexually explicit material and does not have a formal legal definition. On Minors and Culture Minors span a wide developmental range that varies with age, and the age of a minor has considerable influence on the impact that exposure to sexually explicit material will have on that minor as well as on the approaches that are appropriate for protection. Community standards regarding sexual depictions both explicit and implied appear to have changed in the direction of greater tolerance at least over the last decade. Many children know far more about information technology than their parents, teachers, and other adults responsible for their care and well-being, a situation that reverses the traditional gap in knowledge between adults and children. On Law The First Amendment protects from government action speech on the Internet as well as in other media. Material that is obscene or that constitutes child pornography enjoys no First Amendment protection. Definitions of material that is obscene (or that is "obscene with respect to minors") vary from community to community, and so whether material is legally obscene or legally obscene with respect to minors cannot be ascertained from its content alone. Sexually explicit materials that are "obscene with respect to minors" may be regulated for minors, but not in a way that denies access to adults. Because of the relative dearth of obscenity prosecutions in recent years, there is considerable uncertainty about the nature of sexually explicit material that could be successfully prosecuted as legally obscene. The global reach of the Internet greatly complicates the challenge of restricting content providers or Internet service providers. On Technology and Economics The online adult entertainment industry exists because of demand from adults but is only one source of sexually explicit material. The anonymous interactions possible through the Internet make it very difficult to differentiate between adults and minors. The low cost of entry and decentralized management of the Internet mean that a large number of Internet "publishers" or content providers is inevitable. The result, in general, is often a wide variety of sources of generically similar content (so that there are many sources of similar sexually explicit material). On Protection Technology alone cannot protect Internet-using youth at a level that eliminates the need for responsible adult supervision and education. Multiple approaches for protection are generally appropriate, but social and educational strategies are foundational in helping a child learn to make good decisions about Internet usage and to cope effectively with inappropriate material should he or she come across it. The specific combination of approaches that should be used to protect children depends on the values of the child's parent or guardian and the community of which these parties are members.