WLBT 3 - Jackson, MS: Three On Your Side: Questionable On-Line Modeling Agencies

Three On Your Side: Questionable On-Line Modeling Agencies

By Marsha Thompson
marsha@wlbt.net

We have uncovered a growing international trend. On-line teen modeling agencies offering promises of stardom. But authorities warn, some are in the business of selling borderline soft porn.   Sexually explicit images of young girls.

Three on your side investigated after receiving an e-mail from a concerned viewer. The viewer was shocked at what popped up while surfing the Internet. We found sites soliciting young girls, very young girls. Some with offers of becoming world famous models. Many displayed scantily clad children in provocative poses. Legitimate? Apparently. But some parents we talked to aren't buying the so-called claim of teen modeling. Glenda: "Oh my Lord, how would you describe that? It's pornographic and by being non nude it will come up past parental blocks won't it?"

So-called girl modeling agencies,  one is based in the Netherlands. It promotes girl lovers, men interested in relations with underage girls. The most disturbing was a modeling agency that has links to hard-core porn. We found the server based in Russia.

Kevin, another concerned parent said, "They have all sorts of images, that is totally unacceptable." Another parent told us, "I wouldn't want my 13- year old doing that." 

Kids in thongs and panties available for worldwide public consumption. $45.95 gets subscribers 2 months viewing on one Internet site. The pictures were allegedly taken with parental consent.  Some parents found that shocking and stated, "It's hard to look at."

We brought this to the attention of the Mississippi Children's Advocacy Center.  Clinical Director Catherine Dixon said "Clearly the web sites are devoted to serving those who are sexually attracted to children." The FBI says there are hundreds on the Internet. Some range from questionable to fully legitimate.  Even so,  Agent Ed Parmalee with the Jackson FBI office says typically these are often gateways to child pornography sites.

Is this child porn masquerading as teen modeling sites? Portals to pedophiles? Whatever they are, most are legal. Skirting the letter of the law. 

Parmalee tells WLBT news, "There are some out there that skate in the gray area between what is and what is not child pornography."  Under a legal header the sites offered disclaimers, boasting they are  "abiding by U.S. and International law under U.S. Code Title 18.  They are only non-nude sites with underage children.

The FBI says some child modeling sites are not only dangerous they are hunting grounds for pedophiles.  Talk to your children about Internet dangers and monitor what your kids are doing on line.