How many people do you know who have stumbled upon pornography as a child by accident? How many people do you know who, because of this exposure, got stuck in the hamster wheel and couldn’t get out? I know a few.
Granted, those who happened upon pornography back in the day would have likely seen it in printed form. While it wouldn’t have been readily available with the stroke on a keyboard, the images would haunt the mind and have the ability to gain a soul-damaging stronghold. Seeing these types of mind-altering images at any age is unfortunate but in a young and rapidly developing, sponge-like brain, the images could change the trajectory of one’s life.
My children are all grown and living their adult lives. They grew up during the age where the internet was just beginning to gain momentum. While internet safety was an issue, it wasn’t at all like it is today. We didn’t know what we didn’t know and ignorance was bliss. There wasn’t as much available and what was available wasn’t as easily accessible. On top of this, internet filters and accountability apps were nonexistent at that time. Or if they were, we didn’t know about them because we didn’t know we needed them. It’s amazing how much the world of technology has changed and how much technology has changed the world in just one decade.
I was talking recently with my oldest daughter about how we have to approach things so differently as she raises her children. Raising children in any era brings unique challenges but in this particular age of technological advancement, sadly, our children are often forced to absorb images and information as if they are drinking from a fire hydrant.
My daughter asked me what I would be doing to protect her son from having access to heart-compromising sites of any kind when he came to stay at my house. I appreciated her question but I fumbled around with my answer. I realized it wouldn’t be good enough for me to say I would be with him at all times. That could work at 3 years old but it won’t work at 13. Even at 3, it would take only about 10 seconds of pornographic images to begin spinning their evil web in the heart of my pure and precious grandson.
As I gave it more thought, and after thinking about those I know and love who have been exposed to pornography at a very young age, I needed a solution. I knew I couldn’t live with myself if my grandson or future grandchildren, or anyone for that matter, even got a momentary glimpse of soul-burning images while spending time in my home.
So why did I install an internet filter in my home when I have no children living here? Because I want my home to be a safe haven.
And underneath this umbrella are three sub-reasons.
- For the hearts of myself and my husband.
- For the hearts of my grandchildren.
- For the hearts of all who enter my home.
Protecting the hearts of those who enter my home is the most hospitable and loving gesture I could ever offer. Doing all I can in this area is better than the most comfortable bed sheets or any pot roast I could make for them.
Regardless of whether you have children in your home or not, I urge you to consider installing a filter on your home internet. No, it’s not a catch-all but it definitely won’t hurt.
It’s not a device issue. It’s not a technology issue. It’s not even an internet issue. These things aren’t going to go away. We have to accept that. It’s a heart issue. Safeguarding the hearts of all who enter our home should be a priority.
If we can offer a safe environment that can eliminate even a some of the temptations that are infiltrating our hearts and minds, we should. If we can do anything to keep anyone in our homes from stumbling onto something that could send them into a life-long pattern of sinful behaviors and possible addiction, why wouldn’t we?
What safeguards do you have in place in your home for the hearts who connect to your internet?
{The internet filter I installed is Circle with Disney. It came highly recommended by trusted friends. At the cost of about $100 and less than 30 minutes set up time, this could help save thousands of dollars and precious hours of life that might need to be spent later in therapy. I’m not receiving any kickbacks from Disney for sharing this. It’s just a great product.}
Andrea Stunz is a committed wife, an incredibly blessed mom, a grateful mother-in-law and a ridiculously proud Gimi. She is a seasoned traveler from south Texas. Having visited countries all over the globe and lived in Brazil, Singapore and the UK, she finds hope and comfort in a beautiful sunrise and a good cup of coffee. Andrea is a self-proclaimed stumbling pilgrim who is ever so grateful for grace. She longs to encourage others in their stories by sharing a part of hers because “a story worth living is a story worth sharing”. Find more of her work over at andreastunz.com.
See more of her contributions for allmomdoes here.
