Internet Safety

Internet Safety is not a new concept for me, but I appreciated the reminder. My mom was opposed to myspace and Facebook, but we slowly coaxed her into letting us get Facebooks as we got older. When we started using the internet more, she told us some safety tips: never give out your birthday, social security number, address, or other personal information with strangers. Or even people you think are your friends. She also told us not to go into chat rooms or meet people online. My mom is always right, and I'm proud to say I listened to her on internet safety. This is also what I relearned when reading these articles and watching these videos about internet safety. It's a scary world we live in, and the internet can be used for good and bad.

I really liked the articles from lds.org about online missionary work. The testimonial about how Derick Fitch found the Gospel and was able to read the Book of Mormon online made me realize how amazing the internet really is when we harness it for the ultimate good of spreading the good news of Christ. The internet can also be an easy access to the addicting sin of pornography, which means we constantly have to be on our guard when surfing the internet and choosing entertainment. My family has made an effort to protect us against this too. There's a security/blocking system on the computer, our computers are in an open space where lots of people always are, and we are only supposed to be on the internet for 30 minutes at a time (unless for homework). These are a few habits that can help prevent accidentally coming across pornography and keep us not addicted to the computer and the internet.

I decided to share my re-enforced knowledge of internet safety with my 15-year old sister. I talked to her over Facebook chat about how important it is to keep personal identity out of online stuff unless it is a secure sight. Because our family already makes a habit of these precautions, I think she just thought it was another lecture from an older person. But I think she got the message.

One last thing: computer and on-line video games are a waste of time. Play a board or card game, or go outside, or read a book, or make a new friend who you can actually see!

the end!