Net Nanny - Addict Sponsor Program

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The Problem: Pornography

Pornography has become increasingly acceptable, accessible, and freely available, and it is one of the biggest threats to online safety. Today, anyone with unrestricted Internet access is just a mouse click away from viewing, either intentionally or accidentally, sexually explicit material online.

What Can You Do About It?

The best way to avoid becoming addicted to pornography is to avoid pornography, just as you would a disease or addictive substance. But how can you avoid accidental exposure, and how can you help control temptation or exposure once you or someone you love or care about is already addicted?

Here are some ideas:

• Get help. Just like alcohol or drug addiction, pornography addiction chemically alters the brain. Addicts need help. Involve an ecclesiastical leader, get professional counseling, and treat it like the serious condition that it is.
• Install Internet Filters on all Internet-enabled devices.
• Periodically check online activity by viewing your Internet browser’s history or the reporting capability on your Internet Filter software.
• Set time limits and use time-limiting software. Block access during the night or during other danger times.

How Can Net Nanny Help?

ContentWatch, makers of Net Nanny, will give a copy of its leading Internet Filter to any addict or addict’s family. Free. Here’s how it works:

1. Identify a sponsor (e.g. Bishop/Ecclesiastical leader or spouse) for the addicted person. Just like Alcoholics Anonymous, an addict needs a sponsor to go to for help.
2. Have the sponsor email Dave Lyon at ContentWatch at dlyon@contentwatch.com and ask for a Sponsor Copy of Net Nanny. Please specify in the email whether you need a license for our Windows software or our Mac OS X software. A Sponsor Copy is free for the entire first year and is the full, normal version of our software.
3. The sponsor installs Net Nanny on the addict’s computer, and keeps the passwords and credentials. If the addict needs access to Web sites that are being blocked, he or she needs to ask the sponsor for permission. The sponsor can administer remotely, no local access required.
4. Note: Free Internet Filtering software products on the market are easily circumvented and are not feature-rich. Free doesn’t mean high quality.

This is not a cure, but a tool in the fight.