Dr. Sam Kannampally

As an unregulated medium, the Internet delivers illegal and undesirable material right into the home. Even families with no Internet service in their homes are affected by access in cyber cafes and friend's homes. How do you provide yourself and your family the practical benefits of Internet technology without compromising your values?

Responsible Internet use requires a commitment to vigilance; an understanding of both the promise and the perils of the Web; and a willingness to learn how modern technology can safeguard your loved ones.

Internet pornography
There's no doubt about it: Internet pornography is a serious concern for today's Christian families.

Internet pornography is alarmingly accessible. And it's proliferating at a disturbing speed. C-net declared in 1999 that online pornography was the first consistently successful e-commerce product. According to the National Review Online, the porn industry brought in an estimated $8 billion in 2000.

Every day, an estimated 260 new pornographic sites join the more than 75,000 sexually explicit sites already on the Internet.

With its seemingly limitless supply of education, communication and entertainment resources, the Internet can serve as an invaluable developmental tool. Accordingly, Internet skills are increasingly becoming a requisite for competency in both school and career settings.

But even if it were desirable, attempting to keep our children "offline" would be a nearly impossible task. Time has estimated that by 2003, 42 million kids in US ages 2 to 18 will have Internet access in their homes. Those without will easily be able to find access elsewhere.

So what does a Christian to do? Completely ban his teen from the internet? In this technical and computer age, that option is neither desirable nor practical.

There are no easy solutions for protecting teens from online smut. It seems inevitable that they'll continue to have unprecedented, frighteningly easy access to the millions of sites that offer sexually explicit and graphic material. Despite this grim outlook, there are still practical steps you can take to help your teen stay pure in a cyber porn world:

• Monitor Internet use at home: It is best to have Internet access only on computers in an open family area where use can be monitored. This reduces temptation in a major way. Ask your teen to surf only when you're at home. Even without intending to access a pornographic site, your teen could happen upon online filth through a variety of means: Unsolicited e-mail spam, Chat rooms, Instant messages, Stealth sites, such as which choose generic names that have a potential for frequent, unintentional access and Searches for brand names such as Disney and Honda (an estimated 25 percent of porn websites intentionally include popular brand names in their search links).

• Time restrictions: Limiting Internet use to certain hours sends the message that late-night surfing is off-limits and that online use should be balanced with other activities.

• Establish and maintain clear online rules: Since your teen will most likely also spend time on the Internet outside of the home, you must establish firm online rules. Guidelines such as banning chat room access can strategically help shield him from potential problems. Whatever the rules you determine, clearly explain your reasons so you’re teen will be less likely to feel that you're arbitrarily invading his privacy.

• Utilize protective software tools: While Internet filters are far from foolproof, implementing some type of filter solution in your home can cut back on your teen's chance encounters with cyber porn. A variety of both desktop and server-based filters are on the market. Filtering services provide access to the World Wide Web and other Internet features while making an effort to screen or block out offensive material. Many parents have discovered that computer-level filtering gives them greater ability to monitor the sites their child visits, restrict time of day access, and keep their children from giving out personal information.

• Spend time online with your teen: Most kids are infinitely more computer savvy then their parents. Ask your teen to show you what he knows. Showing an interest in his knowledge will help build his confidence while bringing you up to speed on his online activity.

• Maintain communication: Take an interest in your teen's activities by encouraging open, honest discussions about his time online. Initiate conversations and discuss your own experiences, allowing even unfortunate situations to become opportunities for instruction and encouragement.

Although these steps will help, as a Christian parent you must take infinitely more powerful measures to protect your teen's mind and heart:

• Pray: As you pray for your teen each day, specifically ask God for divine protection in this area. Jesus instructs His disciples, "'Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak'" (Matthew 26:41, NIV). Stay alert, and faithfully pray that God will give your teen strength to resist temptation. Claim the promise of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which says that God will be faithful to provide a way out of temptation, trusting that your teen will be able to stand up when the pressure is strong.

• Instruct in holiness: James 1:21 says to get rid of all moral filth and humbly accept the saving power of the Word that is planted within us. Encourage your teen to actively pursue his personal relationship with the Lord, teaching him to seek God's Word and train his heart to honor God at all times. Instruct him to ask for God's help in guarding his mind and in focusing his thoughts on what is pure and good (Philippians 4:8).

• Lead by example: There should not even be a hint of sexual immorality in our lives — obscenities, foolish talk or coarse jesting (Ephesians 5:3-4). Furthermore, we are to purify ourselves from all contamination of body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1). Resist the temptation to justify any form of sexually questionable behavior in your own life. Ask for God's grace to help you maintain godly purity and integrity at all times. You are your teen's primary role model.

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age" (Titus 2:11-12).