A clandestine undertaking on behalf of Israel, the Jets and the Jews.

 
Rethinking The Internet Ban

In a post two months ago, I strongly criticized the Lakewood internet ban, particularly the threat of expulsion from school of children whose parents are caught with Internet access.

I haven't changed my position on the ban, but have been giving thought as to what the proper approach of more moderate religious Jews should be.

It's easy to say that one should watch what his children reads online, and should put in parental safeguards to ensure that objectionable sites cannot be accessed.

Alas, unlike even television, it's not so simple.

This morning, I was reading Ynet, the Israeli news site affiliated with leading Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot.

On the home page, there's a long feature about Denmark's ambassador to Israel, with a picture of the ambassador and his gay partner. The headline of the piece then informs us that the ambassador "slept with his boyfriend on their first date."

Presumably, most observant Jews - and probably most secular people who support gay rights - would not want their children to read an article like this.

But is there a realistic way to allow children even limited Internet access while avoiding this type of material?

I don't claim to know the answer. I do know that instead of bans and threats, this question is what people should focus on.
posted on 11/30/2005