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It may not have been the highest profile discussion on Capitol Hill last week. It didn't garner front-page headlines. But, a presentation by community activist Pamela Atkinson to the House GOP caucus addressed a concern that may be more insidiously damaging than any other currently facing Utah.
Atkinson chairs the Utah Coalition Against Pornography.
In Atkinson's words, "Utah has a big problem." She says Internet porn and electronic sex is rapidly ensnaring many people across the state, including children. Texting sexual messages or "sexting" as it is coming to be called is becoming more common among teens.
Furthermore, she cited a Google Trends study that revealed Salt Lake City ranks number 2 in the nation for searches using sex-related words. Ironically, the city also ranks number two for searches involving "family values."
KSL appreciates the effort of Atkinson and her organization to bring this alarming information to the attention of lawmakers and the general public. Awareness, of course, is a vital step in combating this escalating, yet often hidden plague.
While the passage of laws may help, KSL shares Atkinson's belief that the first line of defense is the family where special care must be taken by parents to protect themselves and their children from exposure to all forms of smut.
