Can the Internet be used safely? For many
people, I believe it can. But I also know that the Internet can be
a trap for people if they are unaware of the dangers of this new
technology.
It's not that the dangers on the Internet are that
much different than the dangers on the street, but on the Internet, the
dangers are so much easier to stumble across.
For example, I walked into our local public library a few weeks ago to ask
what kind of filtering software they use for the Internet. I was
surprised to find out they had none!
I said, "So anyone, any age, can look at
anything that's on the web?"
"Yes," said the librarian, "that's
right. If we put a filter on, that would be censorship."
I thought about that for a minute, then said, "I haven't looked around the whole
library here, but I guess that means you carry copies of Playboy and
magazines like that, too?"
"Oh, no!" she said, "We don't have
that!"
"Oh," says I, "then there is some kind of
censorship."
"Well, no, it's not censorship. If someone
requested it, I guess I would have to get it for them."
Although she didn't see a difference, you and I
probably see it clearly. I doubt that
many people ask the librarian to get a copy of Playboy for them (and
judging from her response, I doubt that anyone ever had). Although
there's no formal censorship, there's still enough positive peer
pressure in the "real" world to keep people on the path of
life, but on the Internet, those restrictions are gone. Unless,
that is, we make an effort to put them in place. (To the
library's credit, they do require parents to sign a consent form before
letting minor children use their Internet connection).
I want to start by letting you know the risks
of using the Internet. Once you know the traps, you'll be better
equipped to avoid them, for yourself and for your family. Then
I'll share some ideas on how you can minimize those risks, and
finally, I'll point you to some more resources that will give you
further ideas about Internet Safety.
1. What are the Risks?
Here are some of the major risks you and your family
face when using the Internet:
