Let's start by assuming that we didn't grow up with computers in our homes – some had the manual typewriters and some were advanced enough to have an electric one (with correction tape!) We listened to music on records and 8-track tapes. We pulled out a box of records a few years ago and our son said, “Cool! Giant CD's.” Times sure have changed. If we had computers in our schools they all ran on DOS and maybe had a cassette tape to record the program onto. My children would laugh at that (my husband and I laugh about that now also).
Generally speaking, computers are in every school, every library, and you can even find them in hotel lobbies. There are free internet hotspots at fast food locations and coffee shops all across the country. Missionaries take laptops with them to live and teach in other countries; businesses use them and they are increasingly available in homes for a variety of uses.
In considering a computer and internet service – the first step is protection for our eyes and the eyes of our loved ones. Our family uses Bsecure (www.bsecure.com/) and I've heard good things about K9 Web Protection (www.k9webprotection.com) and KidSurf (www.kid-surf.com). Without this protection, anyone could accidentally click on an ad or a link that could take them to explicit images on the internet. So, as husband and wife, we set up an accountability system to help keep our minds and hearts pure. BSecure sends out emails with a computer log to addresses we specify showing we deactivated the filter with a password to get to a particular site (sometimes they do block a site that we might need to get to). That will all show up on the report even if someone is able to delete the browsing history on the computer.
On one computer, we set up Internet Explorer so it can ONLY go to the websites we allow. We (the parents) made a list of approved websites that are automatically allowed and then we have to put in the password for the children to be able to access other websites. To do this, just click “Tools” in the toolbar, then “Internet Options”, Content Advisor “ Enable”, then adjust your settings and try it out. (Note: If you use other browsers they will NOT be locked down by that process!)
Remember, there are ways around any safety system and some young adults may figure it out. (I know of some parents who take the power cord with them if they are leaving the house.) Be diligent and keep watch. The computer and the internet can be tools for good or tools for evil.
I think a good way to promote accountability is to put the computer in a common area. My monitor faces the room so anyone can see what website I am on or what I am doing. I do adapt and read my emails about adult matters when my children are not standing around me (at least not those who can read). From across the room I can see if my child is doing their spelling or not. So it is beneficial for all involved.
Another issue with the computer is the amount of time we spend on it. If there is one computer and 6 people waiting to take turns, it would naturally be limited. We don't watch television (only videos/DVD's) so I would say that computer use is one of our free time activities. My husband and I get on the computer after the kids go to bed and we communicate during the day using email. A lot of my paperwork and record keeping tasks are done on the computer and our children practice their math facts and do spelling homework on the computer. We have audio books, old radio programs, ebooks... Many of those activities require more brain power than TV so it's not wasted time but I caution you that it can be overused to the detriment of Mom reading a good book on the couch with the children or Dad leading the family in devotions. I encourage you to pray together, decide your family's priorities and then set computer time accordingly.
Maybe this information will get you thinking about whether a computer with internet service would be good for your family or not. If you choose not to have internet service in your home, many documents and audiobooks can be downloaded at the library and then transferred to your computer at home. Ask someone at your library for more information about what is available.
In the next issue I will cover some FREE things you can can find on the internet for your computer. But if you're ready to begin exploring now, some of my favorite websites are listed at my web page – www.biblibuzz.com .
