EXPOSURE TO INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY OF CIT UNIVERSITY HIGH

SCHOOL STUDENTS
Karen B. Filipinas, Jeena Divine E. Grafia, Roxanne M. Hernaez, Mary Murphete G. Racal
Department of Industrial Engineering, Cebu Institute of Technology, Cebu City,
Philippines 6000.
(rxnhernaez@gmail.com)

ABSTRACT

Due to the continuous improvement of technology, Internet access is made

easier and readily available to everyone including minors. Children nowadays are already
acquainted with the computer and the Internet, and they already have the knowledge
on how to navigate through the World Wide Web. Because the Internet is not being
controlled, children are exposed to risks and threats for they can open freely different
websites including sites with pornographic content. Pornography on the Internet is free
speech; that is sure. However, the premature exposure of children to adult experiences
is an unacceptable invasion of every child‘s right to innocence. Children have the right to
be allowed to grow and develop in an environment that is not emotionally and
psychologically toxic. Truly, this exposure is now a pressing and depressing controversial
issue in our society especially in schools where pornography has its new door through
the Internet.
This study investigates the exposure of CIT University high school students to
pornography on the Internet and assesses the factors which contribute to such
exposure. Questionnaires were administered to gather the needed data. The data were
then statistically analyzed through determining percentage distributions and through
using the test statistic Z to test the difference between two proportions.
Research findings showed that exposure to Internet pornography is prevalent
amongst high school students of CIT University. More than half of the respondents
reported of having seen pornographic images online with a significant difference on the
proportions of male and female high school students. Such findings should serve as
basis for the development and implementation of suitable programs which aim for the
protection of students, or children in general, from exposure to online risks.
Internet, Pornography, Internet Pornography, Online Risks
 EXPOSURE TO INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY OF CIT UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Karen B. Filipinas, Jeena Divine E. Grafia, Roxanne M. Hernaez, Mary Murphete G. Racal
Department of Industrial Engineering, Cebu Institute of Technology - University, Cebu City, Philippines 6000.
(rxnhernaez@gmail.com)

MANUSCRIPT

Abstract factors which contribute to such exposure. Questionnaires were

Due to the continuous improvement of technology, Internet administered to gather the needed data. The data were then

access is made easier and readily available to everyone including statistically analyzed through determining percentage distributions
minors. Children nowadays are already acquainted with the and through using the test statistic Z to test the difference between

computer and the Internet, and they already have the knowledge on two proportions.
how to navigate through the World Wide Web. Because the Internet Research findings showed that exposure to Internet

is not being controlled, children are exposed to risks and threats for
they can open freely different websites including sites with
pornographic content. Pornography on the Internet is free speech;
that is sure. However, the premature exposure of children to adult
experiences is an unacceptable invasion of every child‘s right to
innocence. Children have the right to be allowed to grow and
pornography is prevalent amongst high school students of CIT
University. More than half of the respondents reported of having
seen pornographic images online with a significant difference on the
proportions of male and female high school students. Such findings
should serve as basis for the development and implementation of
suitable programs which aim for the protection of students, or

develop in an environment that is not emotionally and children in general, from exposure to online risks.

psychologically toxic. Truly, this exposure is now a pressing and

depressing controversial issue in our society especially in schools Introduction
where pornography has its new door through the Internet. Objectives of the Study
This study investigates the exposure of CIT University high The main purpose of this study is to investigate the
school students to pornography on the Internet and assesses the exposure of CIT University high school students to
pornography on the Internet. This study emphasizes on the
Internet ---- investigating students’ Internet access and usage;
adult monitoring of students’ Internet use as well as the
inadvertent and deliberate exposure of students to
pornographic materials online.
Furthermore, this study aims to present information to
the High School Department of CIT University, who will then
relay the gathered facts to the students’ parents, in order to
contribute to the development of programs that will not only
minimize exposure of students to pornography online but will
also equip them the necessary skills to deal with the matter at
hand.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
Relevant to the objectives discussed, this study is
intended for the high school students of Cebu Institute of
Technology – University located at N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu
City, Philippines. The time allocated for the completion of this
study was from July 2010 to October 2010.
Statement of the Hypotheses
Null Hypotheses:
1. H0: There is no significant difference between the
proportion of male and female students who have
seen pornographic images on the Internet
2. H0: The proportion of male students who have
intentionally watched pornographic materials while
surfing the Net is less than or equal to the
proportion of female students.
Alternative Hypotheses:
1. H1: There is a significant difference between the
proportion of male and female students who have
seen pornographic images on the Internet
2. H1: The proportion of male students who have
intentionally watched pornographic materials while
surfing the Net is greater than the proportion of
female students.
Methodology
Questionnaires were administered to collect relevant data
from the respondents. By employing the questionnaires, 330
students were investigated by randomly stratified sampling,
among which there were 170 males, accounting for 51.5%,
and 160 females, accounting for 48.5%, with ages ranging n2 = sample size of sample 2
from 12 to 19 years. 𝜋2 = proportion of successes in population 2
Percentage distribution was used to represent the research 𝑝̅ = pooled estimate of the population proportion of successes
findings. Simple tables were made representing each question
in the questionnaire and percentages were drawn. In order to Conceptual Framework
test the hypotheses, Z test for the difference between two
proportions was used, analyzing and comparing the difference Availability of
pornography online
between the proportions of the male and female high school
Adult monitoring and
supervision of Access to the
students. This test statistic uses the following formula: Internet use Internet

Exposure to
(𝑝1 − 𝑝2 ) − (𝜋1 − 𝜋2 ) Internet
Zc = Pornography of
1 1 High School
√𝑝̅ (1 − 𝑝̅) ( + ) Students
𝑛1 𝑛2
with
𝑋1 𝑋2
𝑝1 = 𝑛1
𝑝2 = 𝑛2 Other Factors (e.g. social
factors, personal factors)

𝑋1 + 𝑋2
𝑝̅ =
𝑛1 + 𝑛2
Students’ exposure to Internet pornography is
where
influenced or affected by major factors including students’
p1 = proportion of successes in sample 1
access to the Internet, the availability of pornographic
X1 = number of successes in sample 1
materials online, the monitoring and supervision of adults on
n1 = sample size of sample 1
Internet use, and other factors [not within the scope of this
𝜋1 = proportion of successes in population 1
study] that can prompt students to view pornographic
p2 = proportion of successes in sample 2
materials on the Internet.
X2 = number of successes in sample 2
Discussion of Results Information
%
on
The data gathered are organized into logical, sequential, Most have seen pornographic images on the Internet 73.6
Pornographic When encountering pornographic images, students left the site
and meaningful categories to make them agreeable for immediately without looking
47.3
Material Most students didn’t like it when they first saw the
interpretation so that the relationships between the research pornographic images
37.9
Most do not intentionally visit pornographic websites online 45.5
questions and their intended answers can be established. The Friends distribute pornographic website addresses among each
24.5
other
way the data are divided follows that of the questionnaire Most do not intentionally watch pornographic materials online 39.7
Curiosity is one major factor that can motivate one to watch
used in this study. pornographic materials online
20.0
Most students feel uncomfortable when watching pornography
19.1
online
Most are concerned about their parents’ reaction if they find
Summary of Research Findings out that they are watching pornography online
28.5
Most students feel more curious about sex after watching
19.1
pornographic materials
Access %
Most students have accidentally come across a pornographic
55.2
to the The Internet is mainly accessed at home 70.3 website while surfing the Net
The Internet is usually accessed 1-2 times during the week 29.7 Most do not download pornographic materials from the Internet 66.4
Internet One to two hours is usually spent when surfing the Net 44.8 Most have not received an email containing pornographic
67.9
Most have computers at home 71.5 images or information
Most have access to the Internet at home 63.6 Most felt that watching pornography does have harmful effects 84.8
Students generally are with somebody when they access the
40.0
Internet
The Internet is usually accessed with a brother/ sister at
29.4
home
Using the %

Internet The Internet is mainly used to gather information for school

projects 67.9
Monitoring
% Many students recognize that the Internet can be dangerous
Internet 62.4
Most of the students reported that teachers have discussed
Usage 86.4
the Internet with them
Most of the students don’t think that their parents have
59.1
enough knowledge about the Internet
Most of the students think that teachers have enough
77.3
knowledge about the Internet
Most students use the Internet with adult supervision 51.5
A family member usually monitors students when surfing
29.7
the Net
 Hypothesis-Testing Results Parents need to be involved with their children’s
p1 p2 Internet experience. Teaching children how to handle
Zt Zc Interpretation
(Male) (Female)
Have seen pornographic themselves on the Internet is very important. There are also
0.835 0.631 ±1.960 +4.202 significant
images on the Internet
Have intentionally watched filtering software packages designed to help parents guide
pornographic materials [i.e.,
image files, video files and 0.541 0.125 +1.645 +7.978 significant their children’s Internet experience while still allowing Internet
other formats], while surfing
the Internet independence. However, it should be noted that filtering and
blocking software is only an additional measure for the
Conclusion / Recommendations minimization of children’s online risks. Even so, the most
Exposure to pornography on the Internet is common important is the nontechnical means wherein a warm and
amongst the high school students of CIT University. The ability communicative parent-child relationship is established. In
of the Internet to spread pornography is far-reaching and all- addition, open parent–child channels for communicating about
encompassing, thus, pornography hosted elsewhere is also sexual experiences, sex education at home or school, and
accessible to these students. There is evidence of a significant parental participation with children on the Internet are positive
difference between the proportion of male and female high influences. For boys already at risk of antisocial behavior,
school students who have seen pornographic images online. parents should carefully monitor and severely limit access to
There is greater proportion of male students who have pornography.
intentionally watched pornographic materials online. The same goes to the teachers/educators. There
Parents, educators, government and the Internet should be a continuance of an open discussion about the
providers, among others, must all be involved in devising and Internet. This is to ensure a continuous learning process of the
implementing strategies to ensure the protection of children students with regards to safe use of the Internet. During PTA
online and to minimize further exposure to potentially (Parent-Teacher Association) meetings, seminars and
disturbing, harmful, and age-inappropriate materials on the conferences, the school must also emphasize and include the
Internet. topic of protecting children online, among other things. The
school should inform the parents of the relative percentage of
students who are exposed to pornography on the Internet.
The government must see to it that Internet café
owners provide blocking and filtering software that can help
identify content which might be harmful to the minors. The
government should continue to protect children from
pornography on the Internet through vigorous enforcement of
existing laws criminalizing obscenity and child pornography.
On the other hand, Internet providers must complement
government programs in ensuring the protection of children
from exposure to online risks.

References
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UNICEF and UP CIDS PST, 2005
[2] Pabico, Aecks P., Protecting Filipino Children Online: An
ECPAT Guide. ECPAT-Philippines, 2002
[3] Berenson, M., Levine D., and Krehbiel T., Basic Business
Statistics: Concepts and Applications. Pearson Education Inc.,
2006
[4] Calderon, Jose J. and Gonzales, Expectacion C., Methods
of Research and Thesis Writing. National Bookstore Inc., 1993