Safe Web Viewing: Guarding the Eyes Online
By Paul J. Bucknell
Applying the same principles to online viewing
Part 1: General observations | Part 2: Practical advice | Part 3: Safe web viewing
Application to web viewing
Many of us face extra temptations when walking by pools, swimming at beaches, and enjoying other recreational activities, but similar situations can occur in other areas of our lives as well. Whenever we encounter the temptation to think sexually about a woman other than our wife, it becomes a challenge to our well-being. I would like to briefly apply these same principles to viewing web pages. I will not review the above principles; instead, I will highlight specific advice in light of them.
We should first remember that there are some places on the web we should avoid. If we can't stay away from sites with sensual images and violent scenes (including movies), then we should avoid using a computer or going to the movies altogether. This is not legalism. Jesus said it is better to pluck out the eye than to let it lead you to hell.
For instance, Twitter changed its name to X, but I still need to stay cautious. I keep an eye on how I am using it. Since they add all kinds of unsolicited content, I am now thinking about whether I should completely stop using it or just use it for business and not personally. People’s short videos can really draw one’s eyes. I ask myself, “Did I look at that too long?” “Am I lingering around this image too long?” If I find myself failing, then I’ll assume I don’t need X anymore.
“And if your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you; for it is better for you that one of the parts of your body perish, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:29). These weaker brothers should not impose rules on others, such as prohibiting watching movies or using the computer. Learn to censor yourself. However, you may also bear responsibility for others.
As a parent, I also need to decide what my children should not see in my house. I generally rely on my own standards. I cannot allow them to do things that God has convicted me not to do. I am even more careful and restrict what they can do on a computer and how much time they spend there (30 minutes a day for games). They can only access certain parts of the web. Depending on their maturity, I allow them to have an email and web access.
Special insights
I want to go beyond simply removing this method of limiting viewing access. Sometimes, this is necessary. There are areas where taking certain precautions will be acceptable. This is what I want to discuss here in relation to the principles mentioned above.
A few days ago, I was trying to learn how to make web pages by watching a training video. The video itself was fine. However, some ads were very sensual. I definitely wouldn't allow myself to watch them. Since they pop up unexpectedly, I had to make an immediate decision.
Sometimes I refuse to watch the video. In that case, I just leave the page. If it takes too long to leave because it keeps loading other parts, I close the web browser. I don't play games with those situations.
By the way, we should take available precautions, such as using preferences on computers and programs to avoid sensitive images and the like. Google Images, for example, lets you block most sensitive images. I take advantage of these features; they are very helpful to my family and me. Also, if a program offers a content-filtering option, I automatically select it. This means I shouldn’t view such material either!
There are other web pages, though, that are somewhat manageable, similar to the one or two immodestly dressed women lined up on the beach. In this case, a banner appeared above the main viewing window featuring women in indecent attire. The offense seemed confined to one area, so I quickly decided to censor what I saw.
The first thing I did was resize the window. This effectively cut off the right banner area. That worked for a while, but then the smart ad moved to the top of the screen. I could not resize it.
I then quickly created another web page. I made it roughly the same size as the offending banner and quickly covered the uncovered women. This worked as long as I didn't touch the original window, because doing so would bring the entire window to the front and send the cover behind the offending banner. However, since this was a movie, I could just watch without touching the window. I felt protected.
If my efforts to quickly and effectively hide those images are blocked, I simply stop trying to read the article or watch the training video. I might be able to download and view it safely from my own desktop, but that isn't always possible.
I never consider what I want to view or hear so important that I must cause my mind to focus on women who are not mine. This aligns with God’s will. This strong conviction helps me make quick and effective decisions. If you find yourself looking too much or taking too long to open that other window, then quickly stop trying to view that offending window.
Our goal is to grow in the Lord. If a website consistently displays offensive ads, then simply avoid it altogether.
Summary
If a person is not careful about where he is walking, the joy of the walk might disappear. If someone is walking in a minefield, they are so focused on danger that they can never enjoy the walk. It takes time to train the mind to regularly rehearse these thoughts so that distractions do not cause him to fall.
On each of my two-mile walks, I encounter 4 to 7 such red zones, giving me plenty of practice. This also makes me very aware of how God, in His loving grace, protects me. However, I need to be willing to skip walking during ‘peak’ times and return home if, for some reason, the beach is littered with temptation.
Perhaps someday these thoughts will become so routine that I won't be so aware of them. But I doubt it. The temptations are so vivid and persuasive. I have to combat evil with God’s truth.
“Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18).