You know by now that I am an avid follower of the events of the world (otherwise known as an addict) and while I am often inspired by what I read and see, the nature of news is to tell us of the pain and suffering of the planet and its creatures. There are times when I am sad, frustrated, indignant about the stories. And angry.
Yesterday and today I have been really angry about the police arrests and seizures in a huge child-pornography ring. Obviously I am glad that these predators will be brought to justice but the fact that so many people, virtually all men, are involved in trading child-porn pictures as though they are sports trading cards sickens me. I read this morning that a number of those arrested have been convicted of this behaviour before. And some of them had sophisticated encrypting software supposedly reserved for the police and military behind which they were hiding -- or so they thought.
In addition to the seizures and arrests, police secured the release of two children, four and twelve, who were being used in the production of this pornography. As I listened to a radio report on this story I was ashamed that everyone arrested was a man, as I am when my wife, Ruth, shares with me the brutality faced by women and children in her work. Why do men engage in these forms of evil to such a disproportionate degree?
I reminded myself that the man, Jesus, regarded children so highly in a culture that didn't really acknowledge kids as fully realized humans. It was probably partly because of the high mortality rate for children, but Jesus saw them differently. One of the few times he seemed to get angry was when he spoke of the peril of misleading children.
Thank God for the vigilant police who combat this pornography. We should be praying for them regularly, knowing the toll it must take on them.
Several of you are parents of young children who are entering the use of the internet. What are you doing to protect them? Is this a concern for you?
My children are still young enough to regulate their use. I know exactly which sites they are using, and they know that they are not allowed to browse yet. We help them find the sites they need and allow them to play on the sites that we have approved. We don't even need parental controls yet.
ReplyDeleteSaying this, I know that in a few years, this will not be the case. We will have to allow them more freedom. I hope that the values we have passed on and shared will help them to make wise decisions. (I am also considering a rule of no TV or computers in their bedrooms! We'll see.)
My neice and her boyfried recently graduated from a three year course in computer forensics. (The top two students in their graduating class I may add with a brag) They are the first graduating class for this college program. Although, there are other job choices with this course, many people who graduate will work in this area. It will be an overwhelming problem to deal with, and I imagine those employed in this type of job will have to be stronger than most, but it's something. I do know that resources are still scarce for this type of work and they can only hope to catch a tiny percentage of the perpatrators, and thus rescue children. I don't remember what the percentage is but I think it is less than 5%.
ReplyDeleteWe monitor use, and our daughter is getting to the age where she is starting to browse on her own. Internet safety is what I teach, so I have to practice what I preach with my child at home. No computers in the bedroom, computer in a central location where we can see what is going on, no chatting with just anyone and NEVER giving out identifying information. Deb, a wonderful site for parents is: www.media_awareness.ca, and www.bewebaware.ca, both Canadian sites for teachers, parents and students which gives tutorials for students to be safe on-line but also tips for parents, along with how to go about reporting incidents.
ReplyDeleteIt is the social networks that worry me the most, facebook, myspace, cellphones with cameras etc. I do have a facebook account, mainly to keep in contact with siblings, but also to keep up on what kids are doing. I am monitoring a young cousins actions at the moment as I am concerned about some of her postings. I may be making a call to her parent very soon.
Cellphones with cameras are what worry me as anyone can take a picture at anytime and post it. We need to work with kids about their conduct anywhere, anytime, look what happened to Michael Phelps, it could happen to any of us. Education, education, education is the key. This technology is not going to go away so we need to learn to be proactive not reactive and we need to learn of ways to embrace it safely. Good luck as it is going to be an ongoing process.
Good information and sensible advise Nancy. Both you and Deb raise the issue of computers in the bedroom, as well as televisions. I have read a number of articles discouraging both.
ReplyDeleteIt's a grim thought that grads from college are addressing a plague that didn't exist twenty years ago, but that is the way of our world.