If you have stumbled in your Internet use and have visited improper sites, all is not lost. God will answer your call. You must stop, install a strong filter and commit to not bypassing it. Adopt other precautions as well, strategies that will help keep you on the right path. Talk to a therapist if you cannot cut back. You must stop because the potential addiction can destroy your life.
Seven Biblical Principles
We’ve discussed seven principles: 1) utilize strategies – filters and more – to avoid improper websites (sur me’ra), 2) turn the Internet into a religious tool (aseh tov), 3) refrain from posting or reading defamation (netzor leshoncha me’ra), 4) judge charitably (bakesh shalom), 5) avoid total anonymity (mi ha’ish), 6) experience life offline (he’chafetz chaim), 7) change your ways (tza’aku v’Hashem shameia). While more principles can be added, these serve as a base for responsible Internet usage.
Rabbi Gil Student blogs at TorahMusings.com and maintains a website dedicated to responsible frum Internet usage, InternetInJewishHome.com.
