網路上之兒童色情問題已成為現今「後網路時代」(Post-internet period)國際社會及各國政府最須嚴峻面對的議題之一。過去4年,國際社會及英美二國就此議題皆有重大之發展。國際法部分,國際社會為打擊兒童色情而召開多次的官方及非官方會議,並逐漸形成共識。美國法律之重點則在於處罰合成兒童色情圖片的合憲性問題上,而美國聯邦最高法院亦因此作成重要之判決。英國法制方面則在於兒童色情處罰的構成要件及量刑問題。本文之目的,除敘述上述三者之發展外,並從兒童人權保護的觀點,針對我國法制的立(修)法情況及執行層面作一深入分析及評價。
Child pornography on the internet has become a new and serious form of child sexual exploitation. In the past four years, international society has tried hard to curb this epidemic, and various resolutions and consensus have been reached. In the United States, the issue of whether prohibition on virtual child pornography violates freedom of speech has been settled by the Supreme Court and later the Congress. In the United Kingdom, the problem is related to the sentencing of the offense involving child pornography. This essay discusses the development of the laws regarding the regulation of child pornography on the internet in international society, the United States as well as the United Kingdom. In addition, Taiwan's relevant laws enforcement efforts are also reviewed.