Wednesday, November 19, 2014
The Best Safeguard
I just read an article from The Ensign titled "Keeping Safe and Balanced in a Google-YouTube-Twitter-Facebook-iEverything World" and had some thoughts on it. The article suggested some methods, including filters and parental oversights, to keep young children safe from salacious material on the internet. While these methods aren't bad things I feel they aren't the best solutions. I contend the best filter is yourself and the article later expresses the same view. The reason for this is if someone, even children, want to view something they can find a way; filters can be bypassed and family rules about technology broken. It is only your moral code that will stop you doing something. A line drawn in the sand by yourself which you've promised not to cross is thicker than meters of reinforced concrete. This is why we need to teach our children correct principles so they can govern themselves at all times and in all circumstances.
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The best filter is obviously one's own self control and discretion. On the other hand, children may stumble upon pernicious content on accident. In fact, I think this is how many young children and pre-teens become addicted to pornography. They accidentally see something, get curious, and return for more. They may not even know why, but they're addicted. Filters are still important, but you don't want to use that as an excuse not to teach self-control.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this article, and I agree with you that the best filter is ourselves. Though I also agree with Steven, that its important to protect our children, especially while they are young, but eventually it will be up to them. I found the 10 ways to remove yourself from the digital world almost laughable, though I did think Digital Sabbath was a rather good idea, but break out the board games, or only use the internet for genealogy was a little exterme
ReplyDeleteI agree with the argument that we need internal filters because no programmed one will ever be good enough. However I would add that even if we did have perfect, foolproof filters that wouldn't make the importance of our self-governance any less. There is a principle about being one's own master, no matter what the situation.
ReplyDeleteIt's as Dr. Knutsen said: pornography and violence isn't a technology problem.
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