Bible-based Internet Accountability?

[LittleDrummerBoy]

 

[Madman]

My sons and I use Covenant Eyes. Every month it sends a report of URLs I have visited to my oldest son, it sends a report on him to my youngest son, and my youngest son sends a report to me.

It cannot be changed without the password information and my wife keeps that to herself.


Phones are a terrible problem, not only from an "internet" site problem but from a texting problem. Lots of info on "bullying" and loss of sleep caused by kids trying to defend themselves on line causing suicides, especially young girls.

Good topic. Thanks.

 

[Madman]

I would like to add; there is a reason God warns us about these things, He knows they are destructive to our lives, families, and society, not to mention our very soul.

 

[LittleDrummerBoy]

My sons and I use Covenant Eyes. Every month it sends a report of URLs I have visited to my oldest son, it sends a report on him to my youngest son, and my youngest son sends a report to me.

It cannot be changed without the password information and my wife keeps that to herself.


Phones are a terrible problem, not only from an "internet" site problem but from a texting problem. Lots of info on "bullying" and loss of sleep caused by kids trying to defend themselves on line causing suicides, especially young girls.

Good topic. Thanks.

Thanks for the well considered reply and positive example.

When my children were under 18, my wife and I had all their passwords and computer and phone access was limited to common areas of the home. Phones were all flip phones and reckoned as common property. No children were ever allowed behind a closed door with a cell phone or internet connected computer. Parents had a number of additional security measures in place (software and such) that was not disclosed to children. Defeating known monitoring is much easier than defeating unknown monitoring.

Now that everyone is over 18, there have been some tweaks. Everyone in an inner circle has one or more people providing electronic accountability. All electronic accounts and passwords are disclosed to accountability partners. Accountability partners also have regular physical access to inspect and install undisclosed software to all physical devices (cell phones, computers, etc.) Random checks are also authorized. The goal is simple - no one is tempted by the notion that they are doing evil in secret. There are a small number of exceptions for work accounts that only allow the employee access, but these systems all have their own safeguards in place against misbehavior. In addition to other accountability partner(s), my wife has all my passwords, and access to all physical devices upon request. I reckon if the Bible says my body belongs to her also, all my electronic accounts should also.

This may seem overboard to some, but with an internet ministry reaching more than 1.6 million viewers last year, I get more than my share of bimbos wanting to "chat." A cell phone or internet account that no one else can see is kinda like hanging out around the adulteress' door after dark on a Friday night.

 

[Artfuldodger]

How does something like this compare to "Confession?"

 

[Artfuldodger]

It's weird or maybe just human nature that we need man to see what we do to keep us in line even though God already does that task.
I'm not saying it's a bad idea. I think there are some verses about brothers helping each other out or showing awareness of sin to each other.

 

[gemcgrew]

It's weird or maybe just human nature that we need man to see what we do to keep us in line even though God already does that task.

"Cursed be the man that trusteth in man"

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD"

 

[LittleDrummerBoy]

Do you trust God enough to give man access to all your electronic activities?

 

[gemcgrew]

Do you trust God enough to give man access to all your electronic activities?

Has He not?

 

[SemperFiDawg]

There are some great ideas regarding accountability that have been posted and it’s very admirable. There is much wisdom in having a physical person as both a mentor and to hold one accountable. As to those that say, “All I need is God. I don’t need anyone overseeing my actions.” Well, that’s pride. My life has been rife with actions that I engaged in not in spite of someone being there, but BECAUSE no one was there but God……. and then there’s Adam and Eve, and pretty much every sin committed by mankind since then.

 

[gemcgrew]

As to those that say, “All I need is God. I don’t need anyone overseeing my actions.” Well, that’s pride.

That would be a false inference. I must now remove you from my list of potential behavioral monitors.

 

[SemperFiDawg]

That would be a false inference. I must now remove you from my list of potential behavioral monitors.

"Those that say" was a just a general reference, though I guess it isn't now.

 

[SemperFiDawg]

Do you trust God enough to give man access to all your electronic activities?

Yeah, uhhhh you didn't think very long on this reply did you?

 

[gemcgrew]

"Those that say" was a just a general reference, though I guess it isn't now.

That is very astute. A false inference is often times the result of general reference and guessing. I will now place you back on my list.

 

[Mexican Squealer]

I’m not following all this “internet accountability”....I completely get it in regard to children/ minors but y’all actually have “adults” monitoring one another’s internet activity??? Doesn’t God already do this? Does he need the “back up” from sinners?

 

[LittleDrummerBoy]

I’m not following all this “internet accountability”....I completely get it in regard to children/ minors but y’all actually have “adults” monitoring one another’s internet activity??? Doesn’t God already do this? Does he need the “back up” from sinners?

How many here would say that our trust in God means churches should function without any human financial accountability? Businesses?

Now, given that numerous studies suggest that 50% of men in ministry struggle with online porn, how can one defend the position that men in ministry don't need accountability in their electronic habits?

If 50% of churches were unfaithful with their finances, would you still argue that churches don't need financial accountability?

 

[Mexican Squealer]

Churches needing financial accountability (when taking money from others) vs me needing another grown person to monitor my internet use is comparing apples to footballs...

 

[brutally honest]

I’m not following all this “internet accountability”....I completely get it in regard to children/ minors but y’all actually have “adults” monitoring one another’s internet activity??? Doesn’t God already do this? Does he need the “back up” from sinners?

A lot of men’s groups do this. It’s like AA for porn.

 

[SemperFiDawg]

Churches needing financial accountability (when taking money from others) vs me needing another grown person to monitor my internet use is comparing apples to footballs...

Meh. Maybe, but if there’s nothing to see, why is it an issue and if there issss something to see then that person has no business being in a leadership position in the church.

 

[Israel]

Enjoy being as transparent as one believes necessary. It's a liberty.