By COLlive reporter
Some shocking general statistics on Internet dangers were presented to Chabad Shluchim during the 5773 Kinus, in an effort drum up awareness and caution.
R’ Mechel Moskowitz, manager of the filter division at Venishmartem Internet solutions, was the presenter during the Thursday session at the Brooklyn Marriott Hotel.
The session was held to help Shluchim learn from filtering experts about Internet safety and how to use filters, including what they can—and cannot—do for their communities.
One statistic from the London School of Economics showed that 9 out of 10 children between the ages of 8 and 16 have viewed inappropriate material on the Internet, in most cases unintentionally.
Another was that in 56% of divorce cases today, a major contributing factor is one spouse’s inappropriate use of the Internet.
Moskowitz spoke to Shluchim on “how to counsel your community on using the Internet” and how effective are the various filters available today for all technological devices.
Attendees received a copy of a comprehensive filtering guide created by Moskowitz especially for the Kinus, taking into account Chabad centers’ needs. (COLlive readers can download it here).
He referred participants, who lead communities and educational institutions, to visit guardyoureyes.com, a site to help people maintain moral purity and break free of inappropriate behaviors and venishmartem.com, a site with web filter reviews.
Moskowitz has urged Shluchim to speak out on the issue in their respective communities, quoting the noted psychiatrist and author Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski, “It’s one of the most powerful addictions.”
Twerski has said in the past that “day after day after day – I get
letters and calls from people who say, ‘what can I do to save
myself?’ [The internet] has ruined more marriages than anything, ruined families. It’s been terribly destructive.”
Moderating the session was Rabbi Mendy Elishevitz, the internet savvy Shliach in Karmiel, Israel.
“Unmonitored internet access is literally destroying many precious neshamos, it affects the families of our mekuravim – and even our own. We owe it to ourselves and our community to be technologically informed so that we stay ahead of the game,” he stated.
Thanks to such aware people, I installed a free program acting on a great advice. It’s called Qustodio and is free, light weight and easy to use. There are a few cool features too like the extensive reporting feature that let’s you view the data for the past 30 days. You can also watch the profile pictures of accounts on Facebook. Download it from http://www.qustodio.com
Right around the time of the famous (or notorious) internet asifa at metlife stadium, when piskai dinim came out from all over forbidding unfiltered internet use, I studied the issue and worked out a system for my home. No system will work for everybody, so thank G-d there are numerous options, the most extreme of which, of course, is getting rid of private access to the web altogether. To number 7, yes, the tools are available to all of us, see the pdf downloadable in the article and if it’s beyond your current technical knowledge, see the the next paragraph.… Read more »
And their kids?!
Are you seriously that naieve?
Are these tools being made available to our principals, teachers and other leaders? It’s always nice to see what the shluchim are receiving but please don’t forget about the rest of us!
For addressing the issues
“Ein hochi nami”… Relax, no one is saying otherwise.
You are right everyone is in danger but no one is trying to kid anyone here. Shluchim are leaders and have an achrayus to be aware of the dangers not just for themselves but for their communities too.
Maybe the modern shluchim , but the old timers were and are emese chassidim who dont have such issues.
It’s not just a struggle for community members but for Shluchim and anash as well. The Internet is a dangerous place, no one is immune.
who are we kidding? Shluchim are facing the same dangers