Certainly there are children who are forced or unknowingly manipulated, which is indeed reprehensible.  But it appears that Newsweek has repeated the errors of the past in attempting to perpetuate the image of pedophiles as violent "sex fiends" who exist in large numbers and pose an overwhelming threat to society and children.

The contradictions in Nordland and Bartholet's report seem to be necessary in order to perpetuate this image.  They describe numerous international pedophile rings that procure child victims all over the world, write that pedophiles commit "the worst crimes imaginable," claim that the chances of locating a child pornographer and helping his victims "are slim to none," and state that the government cannot handle the sheer volume of cases.  But amazingly, we are also told that "parents and educators shouldn't jump to the most frightening conclusions."  It's hard to imagine how the reader can avoid doing so when the writers already have.

We are also told that "the vast [note vast] majority of child molesters turn out to be members of victims' families or local communities."  This assertion can also be found in many credible sources.  It seems to be foolish and callous to squander precious resources on Internet pedophilia while the vast majority of child victims continue to be abused by family members and neighbors.  In fact, Nordland gives the reader the debilitating warning not to trust any people at all who interact with one's children since they may be "pedophile moles constructing, as they do, elaborate edifices of trust and demeanor solely to get to your kids."  One wonders why the FBI and police are not conducting sting operations against these predatory parents, relatives, and community members.

We are also told of "official and public indifference," ringleaders being "arrested and released," and the public dismissing "the whole notion of international pedophile rings as urban myth."  One has to ask where the Newsweek reporters have been the past 20 years.  Huge statistics related to child pornography, allegations of gigantic child sex slave rings, and wild claims of satanic and sexual abuse have been publicized and believed by the media, the public, and governmental organizations throughout the past 20 years.  When investigations proved most of them to be fabricated, it was only reported in a handful of less popular media (e.g., PBS's Frontline).  But by then many lives had been destroyed-those of both the adults falsely accused and the children involved.  How do we know the Newsweek reporters are not just crying wolf again?

One of the negative consequences of such reporting is obvious: hysteria which results in violence and false charges against the innocent.  What's not so obvious is that the innocent include celibate pedophiles.  There are also other consequences that many do not consider.

Sensationalistic reports can actually contribute to abuse.  They create a climate which drives pedophiles and their behavior further underground and increases the possibility they will abuse.  Even a pedophile who wishes to be responsible and who believes he needs help dare not seek it for fear that knowledge of his sexual feelings will result in police investigation, loss of career and social status, and an end to social and familial relationships. 

Such reports also worsen abuse that has already happened:  Finkelhor himself has written that victims and their families "may be further victimized by exaggerated claims about the effects of sexual abuse."  Certainly children are severely harmed by forced or manipulated sex, but research shows that in most cases they are able to recover.  This contradicts the impression Nordland gives when he writes that "the kind of harm that pedophiles do can't be fixed in the hospital; often, the damage is lifelong."

The Newsweek report is also harmful to those adolescents who have not been hurt by chosen sexual activity with adults.  Again, this does not deny that some are harmed, nor does it make such behavior acceptable.  However, as Finkelhor has written, the argument against sex between adults and minors must not be based on harm since research shows that harm often does not occur.  The argument must be a moral one.  This distinction between harm and morality is important, since policies which assume harm where it does not exist result in actions by law enforcement authorities and therapists which cause severe trauma in and of themselves.  Such "iatrogenic" harm has been documented by researchers.

There is one consequence of reports like Newsweek's that is devastating for society at large: the raised suspicions about affectionate interactions between adults and children which children need.  Recent psychological studies show that many American fathers and child care workers don't show necessary affection for fear of being labeled child abusers, that U.S. children receive insufficient affection, and that this lack directly correlates to later violent behavior.

One final consequence of Newsweek-style reporting involves something almost no one thinks about.  Begley correctly wrote that pedophilia begins in adolescence.  This should not be surprising, since for people in general, romantic and sexual feelings typically begin in puberty.  Imagine an adolescent boy who has come to realize that through no choice of his own, he is attracted to prepubescent children.  He hears that pedophilia is a sickness.  But he knows that society doesn't really believe that.  After all, a decent society does not treat illness by promoting fear and hatred toward the patient, and wishing death upon him.