The answer, according to Representative Ed Whitfield (R-Ky), is "No." Mr. Whitfield is the chair of the House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing testimony on the increase of child pornography and exploitation as a result of the proliferation of webcams and online video streaming.

According to the testimony of a victim, Atlanta-based Earthlink Inc., one of the largest Internet service providers in the United States, sent a webcam to a 13-year old boy as a free promotion. Now 19 years old, he testified that he was contacted within minutes of setting up the video camera, which sits on top of the computer and broadcasts the images of the person at the keyboard. Adult men promised him favors–money, gifts and more computer equipment. The victim was "befriended" and exploited by the men, he testified, despite filtering technology and an attentive mother, for six years. His father was one of the 1,500 "customers" profiting from the business.

This testimony prompted Rep. Whitfield’s comment that a 13-year old shouldn’t need a webcam. Is he right?