Safeguarding Your Home

One of the biggest issues I see attacking people and families today is that of pornography. With internet access as open and liberal as it is, many children and parents can be exposed to pornographic material with the click of a button. I have been looking for resources on safeguarding our homes against it, the harms of pornography as well as the best places to look for treatment of the addiction.

I found this on lds.org in the provident living section on Protecting:

Pornography

Parents can do many things to safeguard their homes from the harmful influences found on the Internet. While there is no foolproof system, some simple steps can help reduce the risk of family members seeing pornographic materials on the Internet.

Place computers in high-traffic areas of the home. Kitchens, family rooms, and studies usually have the most traffic. Because these rooms usually don’t have doors, they are typically less secluded than bedrooms.

Position computer monitors so the screen faces out for public view.

Install a filtering program, and learn its features and how to use it. Good filtering programs allow you to view a history of which sites (including chat rooms) have been visited and when, as well as a record of incoming and outgoing e-mails. Information on filtering programs can be found on Internet sites such as http://www.internetfilterreview.com/.

Teach family members about the dangers of Internet pornography, including how to escape if an inappropriate site is accidentally accessed. This usually involves shutting down the entire system.

Teach family members to tell parents if they encounter any form of pornography while on the computer. This will help reduce the fear or shame of accidental exposure. It also serves to open discussion about the dangers of pornography.

Teach family members to use the Internet for a specific purpose only. Aimless surfing makes it easier to wander onto inappropriate sites.

Instant messaging is a cost-effective, easy way to communicate with family and close friends. However, teach family members to avoid public chat rooms, bulletin boards, or unfamiliar areas on the Internet. Such places present an unnecessary risk for children and adults.

Teach children not to share any personal information online without parental knowledge and permission. Many predators pose as children to gain access and information that may put children at risk.

Educate yourself about your computer and how the Internet works.

Be aware of what your children’s school and public library policies are regarding Internet use and accessibility.

Teach family members to never open e-mail from someone they don’t know.

The Internet is a wonderful tool and resource for families, but caution must be exercised in order to protect families and individuals from the potential dangers that are present online.

From Protect Kids comes a definition: Pornography can be thought of as all sexually explicit material intended primarily to arouse the reader, viewer, or listener. Each category of illegal pornography has a specific legal definition established by the courts. The Supreme Court has said that there are four categories of pornography that can be determined illegal. Illegal pornography includes indecency, material harmful to minors, obscenity, and child pornography. Click here for the legal definitions of types of pornography.

Here are some resources on The Dangers of Pornography


http://www.protectkids.com/effects/index.htm

http://www.aclj.org/Issues/Resources/Document.aspx?ID=330

www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/porno.html

Treatment

One of the best tools I have heard in treating pornography addiction is the twelve stop program here are some other links to check

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornography_addiction

http://www.endpornaddiction.com/?hop=denkster3

LDS Resources

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=84010fd41d93b010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&hideNav=1&bucket=AllChurchContent&query=pornography&submit=Search

"Satan has become a master at using the addictive power of pornography to limit individual capacity to be led by the Spirit. The onslaught of pornography in all of its vicious, corroding, destructive forms has caused great grief, suffering, heartache, and destroyed marriages. It is one of the most damning influences on earth. Whether it be through the printed page, movies, television, obscene lyrics, vulgarities on the telephone, or flickering personal computer screen, pornography is overpoweringly addictive and severely damaging." -Richard G. Scott