A POWERFUL RESOURCE TO BATTLE INTERNET PORNOGRAPHY
Pornography is a serious problem.
The internet has been around for a while now. So at this point, you (or someone close to you) have experienced the destructive effects that our lust, lived out through pornography, can have.
Pornography is taking a massive toll among men, women and even children, all over the world.
Today I want to focus on a powerful resource to battle this problem. This resource has assisted thousands of men and women, fight their desires for lust and helped them overcome their pornography addictions.
Covenant Eyes
At $15.99 for up to 10 users, Covenant Eyes offers 2 services. These services can be downloaded onto your Mac, PC, tablet or smart phone.
1. Internet Accountability
This service does not filter any content. As per the Covenant Eyes website, it does the following:
“Internet Accountability tracks websites you visit on your computers, smart phones, and tablets, and sends them in an easy-to-read report to someone you trust. This makes it easy to talk about the temptations you face online.” (CovenantEyes.com)
2. Web Content Filtering
This is a filtering service. According to Covenant Eyes, here’s how it works:
“Sometimes you or your kids need an extra layer of protection. Get Internet Filtering to block inappropriate web content based on age. You can also block certain times of day and create custom block and allow lists.” (CovenantEyes.com)
I use Internet Accountability.
As soon as I connect to the internet, a small icon of an eye opens up in my menu bar, near the wireless icon. Once the internet is disconnected, the eye closes. This little icon points to the bigger mission of this organization, based on an important piece of Scripture.
I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman. (Job 31:1)
My Personal Settings
In my Covenant Eyes settings, once a week, my wife and my accountability partner gets an email listing any Mature or Highly Mature content that I have viewed, and the hours I was online.
Because not much good happens at 2AM on the internet by the way!
Once the report comes in, we have a conversation. She can ask about what I’ve been viewing and why. Which is really the key to Covenant Eyes success, in my opinion.
Blocking Vs. Accountability
Its one thing to try to block all the damaging content on the internet, but you’ll never get it all. At some point, personal accountability has to be the focal point.
Every time I log on, I have a choice.
I can choose to view something that will (1) damage my relationship with God, (2) damage my relationship with my wife, and (3) eventually damage my relationship with my boys.
Knowing that my wife and my accountability partner will view the content that I have viewed is a deterrent. Specifically knowing that my wife will ask me some tough questions about that content, empowers me to make the right choice.
Here’s how to sign up:
- Visit CovenantEyes.com. (This link should open up in a new browsing window.)
- Click the Begin Your Journey link. (This will bring you to the account registration page.)
- Complete the fields step-by-step, which will give you options for plan and pricing, and filtering and accountability.
Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts:
Have you or someone close to you had a struggle with pornography? What tools or resources helping you overcome those desires? Who stood by your side through the struggle?
Covenant Eyes is fantastic for accountability, if you have someone solid to walk by you in this matter. However, it is restricted by the number of locations it can be installed, and means that you have to worry about installing and maintaining however many locations. And ultimately, when your kids get old enough, they will find ways around it if they are determined.
In my time and journey struggling with porn, most resources I have seen do not recommend you use your wife as your accountability partner, but that’s not to say it can’t work. I know my wife did not want to be my accountability partner in this regard and asked me to find a man to work with who could relate better to the struggle.
But back to software: the limitations of a software solution caused me to look for a hardware option, and I found it: Skydog. http://www.skydog.com I can’t stop talking about how excellent it is as a solution that basically sits between your internet connection and everything on your wifi system. You create user profiles for each person on the system, and can limit their access by time, by site classification, or even blacklist or whitelist specific sites. You also assign devices to profiles and can set it up so that unassigned devices are completely blocked. This means I have control over not just all my family’s devices without having to worry about installed software, glitching out, or people working around my rules, but any guests who come over also abide by my rules. It’s more secure than even regular wireless access because it requires anyone trying to “hack” my wifi to have a user profile already in the system.
Also there is cost consideration. You don’t mention that Covenant Eyes is $13 per month, not a one time cost. Skydog is $150, including 3 years of updates. For the price of one year of CE I have a tool that requires less maintenance, is more secure and flexible, and scalable. After 3 years ongoing support is only $30 per year.
As you can tell I am over the moon with this tool. I tell everyone I know about it, and the company has sent me a code for friends and family if they want one, for $30 off. So if you or anyone reading this wants one, just email me and ask for the code. It only works until April 30 though, sadly. mr_cheevus@yahoo.ca. BTW I get nothing out of this except the knowledge that people are solving their internet problems once and for all.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy day to post your thoughts on this post. I’ll try to address the majority of statements in a few comment streams.
First, you said that Covenant Eyes is restricted by locations. Could you explain exactly what you mean by “locations”?
Second, though my wife is one of the people that receives my report, she is not my accountability partner. I believe in having godly men in my life as mentors and accountability partners. I just want to be open with Nicole to the extent I would be open to anyone else. Since we are one flesh. (Mk. 10:7-9)
I have to head out, but I will comment on the remaining statements in a few hours.
Thanks again for your comments Oliver!
Peace.
Hey, solid! If you have a guy you’re working with great. I was just laying down the caution for someone who reads and thinks, “I don’t need anyone but my wife in this fight.” That’s a dangerous road to walk.
Locations I just mean you have to go through installing it on every machine. It’s a software installation which is vulnerable to workarounds and system glitches, can be turned off or rendered inert in the OS if you know what you’re doing. Having been involved with network maintenance and system construction in an earlier chapter of my life, I saw firsthand how easy this is. Plus the maintenance factor of installing on individual machines is a pain – it becomes one more on a long to-do list of software installs on any new or refurbished machine, or if an OS is updated, or if there is an issue that requires the formatting of the hard drive… there are so many scenarios in my mind that make a software based system frustrating and a headache.
On the contrary, a hardware based system (or internet based for that matter – I understand OpenDNS might be a solution for some) forms its own chokepoint – or gateway – that all must pass through. It means if you can set up security there, it doesn’t matter what machines come on the network, they all have to play by the rules. And that appeals greatly to me, even for my kids’ friends. I can tell their parents with certainty, if they bring their tablets or laptops over for a gaming session or something, they are not getting into trouble on my network – and I don’t have to install anything to ensure it.
Thanks for your patience. I’ll now finish commenting on the first set of statements.
Third, I have never heard of Skydog.com. Though I’m content with CovenantEyes, I’m sure there are other valuable resources out there.
Fourth, I did mention the cost under the heading, “This resource is called Covenant Eyes.” Sorry that you missed it. Perhaps, I didn’t highlight it enough.
Fifth, thank you for sharing the discount to Skydog for other readers!
In His Service,
Jeremy
Sorry Oliver. Just noticed your second set of comments.
Absolutely, I believe husbands and wives need (same sex) mentorship and accountability.
So far Covenant Eyes has worked on every location (device). Then again, I only use Apple products. I really don’t have any experience with other devices or softwares.
Thanks again for continuing to read and comment! Your support and appreciation for my writing is a blessing.
Be well my friend!
Jeremy