LDS Media Talk » Internet Safety & Wise Use http://ldsmediatalk.com Sharing technology ideas for LDS parents and youth Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:01:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 Conference on the Affects of Pornography on the Brain http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/10/30/conference-on-the-affects-of-pornography-on-the-brain/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/10/30/conference-on-the-affects-of-pornography-on-the-brain/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:03:50 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=3826

visual_addictionConference on the Affects of Pornography on the Brain in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg, Idaho.

Last year, we told you about an anti-pornography conference in Idaho. The promotional video about that conference was viewed nearly 53,000 times!

This year’s conference will be on Saturday, November 14, 2009, in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg, Idaho. Dr. Donald Hilton, noted neurosurgeon from San Antonio, Texas, will be the keynote who will speak on Visual Addiction: The Affects of Pornography on the Brain.

To see the conference schedules in these three cities, and to get free tickets, go to www.cfdec.org or www.citizensfordecency.org. View/Print a flyer about the conference. See the TV commercial below.

At the conference, Dr. Hilton will share his recovery recommendations, as well as recent scientific findings which compares a brain that is on cocaine with one that is affected by natural addictions such as pornography. He says the similarity is remarkable and physical brain cell shrinkage occurs with all of these addictions. This shrinkage in the frontal lobe of the brain, according to Dr. Hilton, may cause impaired judgment, in a similar way to a head trauma patient. He then bridges the gap to help leaders and parents know what recovery methods have the greatest chance of success. To learn more about Dr. Hilton, see www.forwardpress.org.

]]> http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/10/30/conference-on-the-affects-of-pornography-on-the-brain/feed/ 1 Internet Filters and Accountability Software http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/10/29/internet-filters-and-accountability-software/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/10/29/internet-filters-and-accountability-software/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:26:46 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=3871

A friend of mine just provided this list of Internet filter and accountability programs with some reviews. There are a lot of them out there these days, but this list is just a short one, focusing on the free options.

Internet Filtering and Accountability Programs:

Internet Filter Reviews:

If a person has a problem with accessing inappropriate and unhealthy material on the Web, these filter and accountability programs can be a great help. They don’t solve the problem, but they help you solve the problem.

For more resources, see the Resources in Overcoming Pornography page on this site.

]]> http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/10/29/internet-filters-and-accountability-software/feed/ 1 Overcoming Pornography http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/10/14/overcoming-pornography/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/10/14/overcoming-pornography/#comments Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:24:05 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=3110

In the last LDS general conference, Elder Scott spoke powerfully about the evils of pornography. Here are some resources that may be of help to those who have a pornography problem or are interested in helping in the fight to curtail the availability of pornography:

]]> http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/10/14/overcoming-pornography/feed/ 0 Internet Safety Wiki http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/08/30/internet-safety-wiki/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/08/30/internet-safety-wiki/#comments Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:23:51 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=3358

Want to find out what Twitter is all about? Not sure exactly what “sexting” is?

Find out at the Internet Safety Project’s wiki, a site where you can type in a word or phrase  and learn about topics such as cyberbullying, spyware, Facebook, you name it. You’ll find a concise definition of the term with a brief explanation of the associated dangers. Most importantly, you’ll find tips, suggestions, and guidelines for keeping your kids safe from the risks associated with each technology term.

In the wiki, you’ll find articles on more technical topics like viruses , but you’ll also find information on the common Web sites your child may visit and talk about, such as YouTube, Facebook, or Pandora. The Internet Safety Wiki is a one-stop learning resource for all your family’s Internet safety needs.

]]> http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/08/30/internet-safety-wiki/feed/ 0 Protect Your Child’s Privacy Online http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/08/26/protect-your-childs-privacy-online/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/08/26/protect-your-childs-privacy-online/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:13:23 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=3351

See the site Protect Your Child’s Privacy Online for good ideas for parents in keeping their children safe on the Web.

]]> http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/08/26/protect-your-childs-privacy-online/feed/ 0 Pornography: The Perfect Sin http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/08/17/pornography-the-perfect-sin/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/08/17/pornography-the-perfect-sin/#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:51:40 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=3215

I blogged recently about Covenant Eyes filtering and accountability software. I just watched a video about it (embedded below), and the first part of the video makes a great point: pornography is the perfect sin.

Imagine creating the perfect sin: one that would tear apart relationships, crush marriages, and destroy the spiritual strength of men. Such a devastating sin would need to be secret, easy to get, and so alluring it could become part of a secret life. This secret could draw a man away from his wife, his children, his job, and God. Then, why not make it free and even protected by the United States Constitution. Internet pornography is all of these.

Questions to consider:

  • Do you know what Web sites your family is viewing?
  • Are members of your family spending unusual amounts of time on the Internet?
  • Do family members try to hide their Internet involvement?

Free educational resources:

]]> http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/08/17/pornography-the-perfect-sin/feed/ 4 Educational Resources on Overcoming Pornography http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/07/28/educational-resources-on-overcoming-pornography/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/07/28/educational-resources-on-overcoming-pornography/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 22:48:25 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=3229

Yesterday, I blogged about Covenant Eyes accountability and filtering software. I’ve just learned that they also have some free educational resources you might find helpful:

]]> http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/07/28/educational-resources-on-overcoming-pornography/feed/ 0 Covenant Eyes: Freedom from Pornography http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/07/27/covenant-eyes-freedom-from-pornography/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/07/27/covenant-eyes-freedom-from-pornography/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:35:23 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=3194

I’ve blogged previously about  resources in overcoming pornography. Here’s another great program that I think has merit.
covenant-eyes-freedom-pornography
Surveys show at least 70% of men and 21% of women struggle with online pornography. Covenant Eyes is a Christian-based program to help your family stay clear of pornography. The strength of the program is that it combines filtering with a system of accountability.

“I have made a covenant with my eyes.” Job 31:1

Covenant Eyes Accountability Software

Integrity is who you are and what you do when you are alone.

Escape the temptation by removing the secrecy of the Internet. Accountability software develops integrity by monitoring and reporting all Web activity to an Accountability Partner of your choice.  The reports score Web sites to easily identify mature Web addresses, searches, and links.

I think the strength of Covenant Eyes is its accountability system. You identify an Accountability Partner–someone to whom you give permission to help you stand strong. It’s someone you trust because they genuinely care for you. Because the allure of temptation is strongest when no one is looking, an Accountability Partner helps defeat temptation’s pull by looking over your shoulder when you’re on the Internet.

Covenant Eyes Filtering

Their full-featured filter may be used with the accountability service or by itself. You can choose which services are used by each person in your family: accountability, filtering, or both. 

I’ve studied several programs, and for $7.95 a month, I think this is one of the strongest. If you decide you want to try Covenant Eyes, you can use the promocode saints to receive the first 30 days free.

For more information, read this brochure.

]]> http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/07/27/covenant-eyes-freedom-from-pornography/feed/ 5 Staying Safe Online http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/07/02/staying-safe-online/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/07/02/staying-safe-online/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:34:25 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=2682

I just reviewed the site OnGuardOnline.gov that provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. It has some great tips you may find useful.

The site MyMoney.gov also  has links to sites with advice on privacy and avoiding fraud and scams.

]]> http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/07/02/staying-safe-online/feed/ 0 Use the Internet Wisely, Leader Cautions http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/06/28/use-the-internet-wisely-leader-cautions/ http://ldsmediatalk.com/2009/06/28/use-the-internet-wisely-leader-cautions/#comments Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:59:40 +0000 Larry Richman http://ldsmediatalk.com/?p=2888

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf at the April 2008 general conference:

“This conference is being translated into 92 languages and broadcast to 96 countries by the miracle of modern technology. Many of you brethren attend general conference by means of the Internet. New technologies such as this make it possible for the gospel message to be spread throughout the world. The Church Web sites are good examples of how you can use this technology as a wonderful resource of inspiration, help, and learning. They can be a blessing for you priesthood holders, your families, and the Church.

“But be cautious. These same technologies can allow evil influences to cross the threshold of your homes. These dangerous traps are only a mouse click away. Pornography, violence, intolerance, and ungodliness destroy families, marriages, and individual lives. These dangers are distributed through many media, including magazines, books, television, movies, and music, as well as the Internet. The Lord will help you to recognize and avoid those evils. It is the early recognition of danger and a clear course correction that will keep you in the light of the gospel. Minor decisions can lead to major consequences.

“Entering a strange and risky chat room on the Internet could lead you into the center of a raging storm. Putting a computer in a private room that the rest of the family cannot access could be the starting point for a deceitful and dangerous journey.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “A Matter of a Few Degrees,” Ensign, May 2008, 57-60

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