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An Informed Conscience Regarding Online Content Sharing

I came across an interesting article worth reading about stealing content online entitled: Dear Conscience – Internet Piracy

It is interesting that, in this case, they have the devil against stealing and the angel supporting the “sharing” of copyrighted content. Here are a few excerpts:

Shoulder Devil: “Forget the legality of file sharing, in my opinion nothing is illegal until you get caught. This is an issue of quality. Most pirated downloads are crap.”

Shoulder Angel:  “Sharing is caring!

This has been one of the first rules of being one of the good guys for a very, very long time. Share and share alike; that’s what I always say!

Besides, artists do their thing for the love of the arts anyway. All they want is to reach more eyes and ears around the world. They want to spread their hearts and souls to enlighten and inspire others’ day to day lives.”

This goes on and on, but the arguments do seem like the kind of things I hear people say about this topic – if they discuss it at all.

I must say, for the record, this is one of the few times that I’m with Hollywood. Sharing (of copyright material) is not caring – it’s stealing…

What are your thoughts?

Can Online Privacy or Anonymity Be Used Like Dr. Jekyll’s Potion Creating Mr. Hyde?

I don’t normally point to my own professional blogs from CSO Magazine or Government Technology Magazine, but I’m making an exception in this case.

I recently read an intriguing blog on the Harvard Business Review’s website that began with some excellent commentary on the news headlines surrounding our leaders behaving badly in cyberspace. However, the blog went on to offer advice to all of us with “Three Ps” to manage online indulgence successfully.

My analysis suggested that this guidance is a bit like turning Internet anonymity or online privacy tools into the secret potion that turned Dr. Jekyll into Mr. Hyde, in the famous 19th century story.  If you go there (and I strongly advise against it), you can expect similar results as Dr. Jekyll – namely that you start to turn into Mr. Hyde without taking the potion (and involuntarily).

I think this topic is important for Christians to read and think about, so I highly recommend reading these two blogs in this order:

1) The Three Ps of Online Indulgence

2) My CSO Magazine response: Can Online Indulgence be Managed? Lessons from Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

These are very relevant issues for our society at large who goes online, and I’d love to hear your views.

What is cyberbullying? How can we stop it?

Today, Dan and I talk about the subject of “cyberbullying” and how it can be stopped.

For more information about this, read “What is Cyberbullying?” on the Covenant Eyes blog.

Freedom and Responsibility – A Christian View on Cyber Ethics

What should a Christian’s view of cyber ethics be?

In January 2011, Daniel Lohrmann presented a lecture at the Center for Ethics and Public Life at Luther College. Download the transcript of his talk, or listen to his lecture. In this presentation, Mr. Lohrmann presents a model for ethical action online.

What are the dangers of YouTube?

In episode #8 Dan and I talk about, “What are the dangers of YouTube?”

For more information read, “6 Ways to Protect Your Kids on YouTube.”

Why are Facebook and Myspace so popular?

Below is Episode #7 of our vlog, “Why are Facebook and Myspace so popular?” In this video, Dan and I talk about the phenomenon of social networks in American culture.

See more on this topic:

• “Kicking Teens’ Facebook Addictions“: Interview with Parry Aftab on ABC News

• “Facebook fiends tend to be narcissistic and insecure“: Research from York University

You can read more about the popularity of social networks and safety tips for families in Parenting the Internet Generation: 7 Potential Threats and 7 Habits for Internet Safety. To get a PDF copy, visit CovenantEyes.com.

Teaching your family responsible Internet use

Below is Episode #6 of our vlog, “Teaching your family responsible Internet use.” In this video, Dan and I discuss the importance of good technology combined with good conversation.

You can read about these ideas in the new free e-book, Parenting the Internet Generation: 7 Potential Threats and 7 Habits for Internet Safety. To get a PDF copy, visit CovenantEyes.com.

Are Internet Filters Enough?

Below is Episode #5 of our vlog, “Are Internet filters enough?” In this video, Dan and I discuss some of the limits of Internet filtering (blocking software).

The Internet has introduced parents to challenges that no other generation has encountered and the potential threats can change daily. Regardless of whether your child or teen is a “good kid,” they are likely navigating websites and online activities that you might not know about.

To learn more, watch Dan’s presentation, “Seven Habits of Online Integrity.” To see this, visit our Videos page.

You can also read about these habits in Covenant Eyes’ new free e-book, Parenting the Internet Generation: 7 Potential Threats and 7 Habits for Internet Safety. To get a PDF copy, visit CovenantEyes.com.

How Many Teens Are Exposed to Porn Online?

Just how many kids are being exposed to pornography on the Internet? The statistics gathered over the last decade are very telling:

1. Two equivalent national telephone surveys of 1500 Internet users, ages 10-17, showed unwanted exposure to Internet pornography increased from 25% in 2000 to 34% in 2005 (Journal of Adolescent Health, pdf, 132kb). Among those surveyed (pdf, 98kb), 87% of intentional seekers of Internet pornography are 14 years of age or older. Children under the age of 14 who have intentionally looked at pornography are more likely to report traditional exposures, such as magazines or movies.
2. In a 2001 survey of 1,209 individuals ages 15-24, 70% said they accidentally stumbled on pornography online, 23% saying this happened “somewhat” or “very” often. Of those accidentally exposed, 45% said they were upset by the experience (Kaiser Family Foundation, pdf, 1.9mb).
3. In 2009, a survey of 433 adolescents indicated 55.4% had visited a sexually explicit website at some point (Journal of Adolescent Health, pdf, 320kb).
4. In 2008, a survey of 563 college students showed that 93% of boys and 62% of girls reported being exposed to online pornography during adolescence (CyberPscyhology and Behavior, pdf, 98kb)
5. In a recent survey of 16,799 college males, 82% had been exposed to pornography by the age of 14. In same survey of 11,338 college females, 52% said they were exposed to pornography by the age of 14 (Michael Leahy, Porn University).

Research from multiple angles reveals the same conclusions for parents. Unintentional exposure to pornography is on the rise among teens.

Why kids need Internet filters and parental controls

In episode #4 of our vlog Dan and I talk about the importance of having good Internet filtering and parental controls on your home computer.

Dan mentions four important steps a parent can take:

1. Protect your home computer with good Internet filters and parental controls.
2. Talk to your kids about where they go online.
3. Put computers in common areas.
4. Remind kids not to talk with strangers online.

Remember, no technology replaces the involvement and attention of a loving parent or guardian.

For more information about the harms of pornography on children, visit these links:

• Kids’ Access to Pornography – from InternetSafety101.org
• The Unfiltered Truth: Children Search for Porn From an Early Age – by Brittany Glynn from Girls Against Porn
• Are Internet Filters Simply Moralism? – by Douglas Wilson
• How Does Pornography Harm Kids – from InternetSafety101.org
• Four Tips on Having “The Sex Talk” with Your Kids – with video from Fred Stoeker
• Peace of Mind with Covenant Eyes – story from a mother who knows the benefits of filtering and accountability software