Accountability as a Lifestyle (Part 2): Relationships
Will the U.K. Block All Internet Porn?
The Debate Over Net Neutrality Continues
The Next Big Thing for Covenant Eyes
Ryan and Laura Booz's marriage was restored in part through Covenant Eyes Accountability. Read Laura's story on the blog.
Accountability as a Lifestyle (Part 2): Relationships
By Luke Gilkerson
I've never been in a church where I didn't meet someone who had been burned by "accountability." It is easy, in our quest for holiness, to build superficial relationships we hope will motivate us to fight sin. But all too often these relationships miss the mark.
Consider this story from Nate Larkin's book, Samson and the Pirate Monks:
You've probably seen that poor fellow who decided one day to be honest in a Christian meeting. Maybe he'd been caught in a sin, so he really had nothing left to lose, or perhaps he was so plagued by guilt that he decided to take the church's rhetoric about grace and forgiveness at face value and bare his soul in a desperate bid for freedom.
I remember a guy who did that. As soon as the fateful words were uttered he looked around, hoping somebody would say, "Me too," but all he heard were crickets. After a pause, a curious investigator launched into spiritual cross-examination.Read more...
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47% of family members with Internet reported feeling ignored because another member of the household spends too much time online.
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Will the UK Block All Internet Porn? By Luke Gilkerson
Like the peep shows of old, the new legislation would require an opt-in system.
The UK government has asked Internet service providers to figure out a way to block all pornography online in order to prevent children from being exposed to it. The initiative has prompted a lively debate, raising concerns on both a legal and a technical level.
Communications Minister Ed Vaizey said, "This is a very serious matter. I think it's very important that it's the ISPs that come up with solutions to protect children." Minister Vaizey's concern echoes issues raised on both sides of the pond as more and more of the Internet generation has entered adulthood. Read more...
The Debate Over Net Neutrality Continues By Luke Gilkerson
The issue of "net neutrality" has been hotly debated for years. On December 21, the FCC issued a new order, hoping to preserve an "open network" for consumers and investors, but not everyone is convinced their new rules solve any of the problems around net neutrality.
What is Net Neutrality? Internet access is largely provided through network pipelines owned by cable and phone companies. Some of these ISPs (Internet Service Providers) would like to charge premium fees for major users of the World Wide Web (companies like Google or Microsoft). Organizations that pay these fees would be ensured speedy broadband access-what some have called an Internet "fast lane." For instance, Comcast Corporation could offer to speed up Hulu-if Hulu wanted to pay a price.
If ISPs go this route, many fear other services that use the Web could be relegated to an Internet "slow lane" or eventually banned altogether. Advocates for net neutrality ask for a level playing field: you should not be charged extra to put your Internet application or website into the pipelines. Advocates not only believe this encourages economic growth and ingenuity, but many believe "neutrality" is a founding principle of the Internet itself. Read more...
The Next Big Thing for Covenant Eyes By Lisa Eldred
In December, Covenant Eyes introduced reports with a simple rating system for websites, such as T for teen and M for Mature. Within the next few weeks, Covenant Eyes members and Accountability Partners will be able to use these new ratings to customize our services to meet their needs.
New Filter Settings enable Filter Guardians to block content based on the rating system, making it easier to set up the Filter based on age.
Report Sensitivity Levels allow an Accountability Partner to select a rating level for Reports. Once a rating level is selected, Accountability Reports will show only the websites rated at that level or higher. For example, choosing a rating of M will deliver Reports that only show information for websites rated M or HM (Highly Mature). The Accountability user's full Internet use will still be visible in the Detailed Browsing Logs in the Member Center, of course.
"These innovations make Covenant Eyes easier to use," said Ron DeHaas. "Our mission is to help people and families use the Internet safely and with integrity. Any step we can take to make that happen is exciting to me."
