There are thousands of modeling agencies listed on the world wide web, but in many cases, they're nothing more than web pages offering pictures of scantily clothed young girls, wearing thongs, and placed in provocative and sexually suggestive poses. These sites advertise "100% No Nude" photos, yet, the pictures that are offered are sickening to anyone who has young daughters.

Of course, there are legitimate modeling agencies throughout the country, and it's best for one to seek them out locally prior to searching the net that promises to make stars of aspiring or established young models. Recently, a friend of a friend had engaged in a modeling and acting session and the web address had been given to my friend so she could view the her friend's progress. Everything appeared on the up-and-up and the session went well. There were several links on the page that had been viewed, and when one had selected, it opened a new site offering pictures of girls between the ages of 6 and 13 in very scantily attire.

My first thought was, "Where are the parents when these shoots are taking place?" Surely I thought, most of the parents of these girls didn't know the pictures were taken - I would allow no one to take those types of pictures of my daughter.

One of the problems one will encounter when searching the net for a legitimate modeling agency is not knowing what will open when clicking a link. Some pages offer several links which are placed on a page as banners. The pictures on MOST of these banners are disturbing in the way that they offer photos of teen or preteen girls in thongs or underwear in very provocative poses.

One suggestion when searching for a teen modeling agency is NOT selecting one that uses the words loli, lola, nymphet, hot, extreme, or anything that would suggest something distasteful.

I find it disgusting that there are so many sites that offer child pornography, and what's worse, they are easily accessible. I believe it is the search engines' duty to remove all supposed legitimate modeling agency listings if they offer suggestive poses of young children. Google's search engine posts a notice as such - In response to a legal request submitted to Google, we have removed 4 result(s) from this page. If you wish, you may read more about the request at ChillingEffects.org when certain results are questionable. Well, they are missing a whole lot of sites and I for one, would love to work from home to rid the web of these sick, demented people who, not only offer these provocative photos, but make a ton of money doing so.

The Bottom Line - Teens and preteens reclined on a bed, sitting in a chair, or bending over, camera shooting from the back, legs spread in a provocative pose... is this modeling or child pornography? I'm sorry, but I cannot see this as any type of decent modeling. My wife and I entered our son in a beauty contest some 20 years ago and most parents offered a portfolio of their children. Not one time did I observe a child, boy or girl in a provocative pose. These portfolios offered the viewers smiling faces of girls in frilly, bright colored dresses or sun suits; the boys, in jeans or slacks, sometimes shorts and shirts. So many of the modeling sites that offer pictures of young children today are disgusting, demeaning and cruel.

I for one would like to begin a campaign to petition the proper channels of the United States Government to close MOST child modeling sites down, and in cases where children are being asked to pose in provocative positions, there should minimally be fines levied against the webmasters. Government agencies use monies to pursue criminals involved in drug trafficking, prostitution rings, and illegal arms runners, why then, can't our children be protected from these predators? It does not take much effort to learn the names of the owners and webmasters of these sites.

It is an insult to anyone with a smidgen of common sense when these sites use the words,Non Nude, 100% legal, or Art in the description of their so called modeling sites. Offering a few 'eye candy' preview photos, then, if one is a bit demented, they can pay a sizable fee for a complete set of photos. I dare not imagine just how provocative or demeaning the photos in these available sets might be.

It's high time OUR government cracked down on child 'modeling' sites in the United States.