Teen Culture - InternetTips forresponsible andGod honouringuse of theinternet

Young People and the Internet

• Lisa, 15, “I‘m frightened and want to dosomething about it but I don‘t want my parentsto know about it.”

• Sangetta, 14 - gave out her mobile number andnow she is receiving obscene messages.

• Daniel, 16 - was getting phone calls from a manhe‘d met in an internet chat-room.

The Software

facebook

500 millionusers

worldwide

September 2010

The Facts• Mark Zuckerberg• Launched in February 2004• Facebook has now 500 million

users! (Aug. 2008 = 100 million)• US$800 million revenue in 2009

What’s good about it?(from a young persons perspective)

• It’s about me… my world… my views…• Share music, photos, video clips, invitations, weblinks• My space… not controlled by parents• My friends… our chat… talk when we want...• Make new friends…• Never miss anything... stay up to date... 24hr contact• It’s just fun

the negative side• When you click… It’s sent!• Takes up time• Open to abuse…• See or read unsuitable material• Bullying• The darker side - ‘online grooming’

Use it safely and wisely• Protect your identity• Control your privacy settings• Don’t post anything you would be ashamed of• Don’t stray• Don’t believe everything you see online

Harmful and explicit material• The greatest danger of the Internet is the ease with

which harmful and explicit material can be accessed.• The largest group that views internet pornography is

the 12 - 17 year olds.

covenanteyes.comOpenDNS.com

Encouraging teens accountability• The internet is used in private, unaccountable settings

within friends homes, teenagers bedrooms.• Temptation is strongest when no one is looking and

when no one will know.• A program like Covenant Eyes removes the secrecy and

temptation of using the Internet.

Encouraging teens in ‘Godhonouring’ internet use

• How we handle temptation in light of God’s Word -James 1:13-16, 1 Cor. 10:12-14

• The Lord’s Prayer “Lead us not into temptation butdeliver us from evil… - Mat. 6:9-13

• “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lesthe fall.” - 1 Cor. 10:12

Encouraging teens in ‘Godhonouring’ internet use

• Encourage the teenager to be like Daniel (1:8) -“But Daniel made up his mind that he would notdefile himself”

• “Whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute,…let your mind dwell on these things.”

• Do what Job did “I have made a covenant with myeyes” - Job 31:1

Finally - Practical suggestions• Advise against a computer (or television) in the bedroom• Know what they are doing online (openDNS, Windows security)• Help them to protect their privacy• Encourage them to delete junk mail (keep nuisance messages as

evidence)• Tell them never to meet up with online contacts• Parents should endeavour to keep communication lines open• Encourage them to block certain people and report

How not to use it for ministry• Use it to supplement real-world ministry• Learn, but don’t be a stalker• Be aware• Be present but not always present• Don’t play farmville

(Source: Tim Chaillies)