Pornography -- to censor or not to censor

Question
In the first passage, pornography is seen to be “morally objectionable … (that) degrades women as mere sex objects” while in the second passage, pornography is said to be a mere expression of sexuality. Explain the nature of pornography and give your reasons to why we should/should not exercise any form of censorship in this area.

Pornography is defined as obscene writings, drawings, photographs, magazines, videos with little or no artistic merit designed only to excite sexual impulses and to stimulate sexual desire. It is considered by public authorities as a violation of accepted standards of sexual morality. Many people have conflicting ideas on the reasons of whether censorship should be exercised. However, currently, censorship has been exercised in the area of pornography. What is considered the accepted standards of sexual morality? What is the nature of pornography? What can we do to prevent pornography from corrupting young people’s minds? As described on Mormon Times, pornography is described as one which is seductive and contains a destructive nature.

Why is the nature of pornography deemed as destructive?
It has the power to enslave and destroy. Enslavement comes with the form that the sexually explicit images have addictive properties. In 2004, Dr Judith A. Reisman explained that emotionally arousing images imprint and alter the brain triggering an instant, involuntary but lasting biochemical memory tail. These neurochemical pathways, once established and activated from hibernation, are difficult and almost impossible to delete and remove. Some of these erotic images may trigger fear, shame, anger or hostility. These fantasies become embedded, commonly confusing and addicting many of those people being exposed to pornography.
Therefore, I strongly believe that we should try to exercise censorship in the area of pornography. Pornography not only endangers the healthy development of young people, but also erodes people's mind, destroying the accepted moral standards of the society.

Women who act in the pornography industry are labelled as “porn stars”. In the New York Times Magazine, the author, Frank Rich, came up with a thesis that states Pornography is a big business with $10 billion to $14 billion in annual sports. This gives others the wrong impression that these women would do pornography all for the sake of getting rich. These also give men the impression that the women who do such stuff are cheap and the men would obviously be more superior to them.

However, in recent years, there has been a significant increase in pornography addiction by many teenagers and others. Censorship should really be exercised in area of pornography as many people would be affected by uncensored pornography. As stated by Dr. Judith A. Reisman, the viewing of such pornography films or videos or photographs will “awaken the hibernating irritated beast” or will “arouse the sleeping lion in the brain”. Some of these people who viewed these pornography films said that they do it to while away their time. However, the time that is being used to watch pornography can be used for more consequential things. Activities such as posting stupid things on blogs, it could also be another way to waste away their free time. Another way to idle away their time would be to do more meaningful activities such as reading, participating in Community Involvement Programme and also to interact more and spending more time with the family.

What can we do to prevent pornography from corrupting young people’s minds?
We can censor pornography as pornography is seductive, destructive and unsuitable for young people. When viewed by the young people, it would be a forever permanent memory that would be entrenched into the brain. Unlike studies and notes memory, it would be very hard to delete.

People have been quarrelling about whether pornography is a violation of accepted moral standards. While some may agree with this, others disagree. I strongly feel that it is wrong to show prejudice to women by viewing them as sex objects. Therefore, I feel there’s a need for pornography to be censored.