Knock, knock... It's your computer
Yeah, your computer. You're not dreaming!
I have something to tell you.
Remember way back when how you convinced your boss/spouse/parent to buy me? You promised them that you need me in order to be more productive, right?
You sold them on the scenario that if you could just have me you could make more sales and bring in more clients or you could finally reconcile your bank statement or you could do more research for your college paper in order to get a better grade.
Well what happened? Where's all the productivity and research you were supposed to do?
I know; it's always the same routine.
9AM rolls around and you start off by checking email. Then you scan the news.
At some point you check out the latest video clip being passed around on YouBoob.com, or perhaps you're chatting away with your friends on Facebook.
Sometimes you see a flashy advertisement and click on it out of curiosity and...well, next thing you know, you're taking me somewhere you probably know we shouldn't be.
Let's face it, you spend more time on me than you should. And it's not all for wholesome and pure things. You know what I mean…
Too late, don't bother erasing your favorites/history trails in your browser so no one else knows about this. Because I already know it. And He knows it too!
Who is He?
I'm talking about Big Bro in the Sky; I'm talking about Super Admin; I'm talking about the Almighty Himself!
He has a log of every single site you've been to, and you can't hack His computer to erase it.
He has a log of every single site you've been to, and you can't hack His computer to erase it.
Heavy, isn't it?
But it ain't over.
In just a few days it'll be Yom Kippur, and you'll be praying to the Super Admin...um...the Almighty up in heaven for forgiveness, erasing the slate and generally trying to clean up your act.
In order to tip the scale in your favor, maybe you should try to take on a new resolution. After all, you gotta show that you're serious. God knows when it's just lip service. And I have just the resolution that's good for me and you.
Relax -- I'm not going to tell you to do something impossible like turn me off and chuck me out the window.
I'm just suggesting this: Before you sit down to surf, take a moment to stop and think. Make a list of what you need to accomplish on the computer (hey, that's me) for the current session and don't visit any site that deviates from your Internet Mission Statement.
There, that wasn't so bad, was it?
I know, sometimes it'll work and others times it won't, but why not give it a try. I think you'll be very surprised by what you discover.
Ok, I'm getting tired and I'm gonna go into hibernate mode. Wake me up if you need me. Shana tova.
Using the comment section below, tell me what internet usage management solution works for you so we all can benefit from it.
(17) Ron Beatty, September 18, 2018 7:05 AM
Yom Kippur
The best internet usage management solution for me is self discipline. So many things that I have been unaware of in the past, this day I ask for the Almighty Gods forgiveness of my sins. My walk has been difficult as denominations place obstructions, including poor and erroneous teaching. I give thanks to Almighty God for showing me the true path
(16) Mike Smith, May 12, 2013 10:37 AM
Get Rid of the Internet
I made an evaluation of what really happened with me on the computer and it was a complete waste of time. So this year I got rid of the internet on my computer. I traded for positive courses and yes reading books. That's right kids. I have read whole
(15) Anonymous, September 7, 2010 4:44 PM
I like this article for several reasons. It uses humor (thank you Rabbi) to convey a timely message, it is true as to how many hours many people waste on surfing and not studying, further, one must be safe. So, the greater majority of sites I visit and bookmarks I make are all Judaica related. I don't have the time to waste to do anything else. When I have read something in the local, national or international news I usually wish I had not. Ergo, I stick and stay with the best: Aish, My Jewish Learning, Orthodox Union, ChofetzChaim, and many more like these. I want the version of my life to be what Hashem would approve. There is no time to waste. The direction of my life is in my hands, moreover, in Hashem's hands because He calls the shots. Something wonderful in getting ready for Rosh HaShana... the best crown round Challah with some sweetness for the new year. The blessings said for the dough and separating the dough are not in my memory banks yet as in verbatim, but I did my best by thanking Hashem. Without Hashem it could have been a real big mess. Everyone, please enjoy and learn from this season to improve your lives, someone else's life and carry on with the knowledge that G-d does really does guide us if we let Him.
(14) rg, October 15, 2008 4:03 PM
thanks anonymous #10
those were great tips for protecting our home computer at no cost. Thanks so much!
(13) Ester, October 7, 2008 10:45 PM
Try Yeshivanet
They whitelist only the sites you want and their service is superb!
(12) Ezekiel Calderon, October 7, 2008 9:10 AM
Ad Blocker
You can install Adblock Plus as an add-on in Firefox (if that is your web browser). This is one of the reasons I choose Mozilla Firefox as my default browser. Go to Tools > Add-ons > Get addons > Click Browse All Add-ons. A link will load and from there search for Adblock. Then Add it to Firefox and install!
(11) feiga, October 7, 2008 8:51 AM
How short and to the point!!
Thank you for providing us with something so true and clearly put. And so openly displayed for all of us really hibrinating to be able to share!! Good luck to all and lets only meet on Aish.com etc!!!
(10) Anonymous, October 6, 2008 8:40 PM
nice article - thanks!
K9 is one of the best filters available, and it's free for home use. www1.k9webprotection.com/getk9/index.php It lets you control the level of protection and is 100% effective. If you don't trust yourself, let someone else choose the password and not tell it to you. Another helpful tip is to use Firefox browser with the AdBlock add-on. mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865 Most junky ads are then blocked automatically. You can block any image you want by right-clicking on it and selecting "Adblock Image..." Many sites are switching to "Flash" (banners, ads, images, etc). You can block those too with this Firefox add-on: addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/433 Thanks for the powerful and well-taken article.
(9) Raphael, October 6, 2008 1:24 PM
Net addictions are serious!
I have seen the sad effects of Internet addiction first hand. Thanks for talking about it.
(8) gerald weiner, October 6, 2008 1:18 PM
How do I install an ad blocker?
Can you please tell me how to install an ad blocker as mentioned in a previous letter from Moe.
(7) Moe, October 6, 2008 10:03 AM
Practical Suggestions that work
Thank you for raising this issue. I'd like to offer some practical ideas to help minimize time on the computer and exposure to inappropriate material. 1. Purchase software that monitors your computer activity. One program is called eblaster (under $100, one time fee) and it sends a list of the websites you've visited to whomever you want, and it all very customizable - look into it. Make sure to someone else has the password. 2. Install a filter, like K9 (free) to block the types of sites you don't want to visit, and the ads you don't want to see. Again, make sure you don't have the password - give it to someone else. 3. Install an ad blocker. While making personal commitments is important in has been my experience that they can easily buckle under pressure. With suggestion 1 and 2 above you are forced to be serious about your personal commitment. Much success to everyone in this important matter. Gmar Tov.
(6) Shaun camilleri, October 5, 2008 9:51 PM
I have been wrestling with myself and G-d for a while regarding my PC use and this seems to be a reply in writing as I already had a reply but have always come up with excuses to ignore it.
This article seems to be coming directly from my creator.
Thank you Rabbi Dovid Herskovits and Aish.com.
(5) Neil, October 5, 2008 4:04 PM
True..is it not?
Sadly this subject has to be tackled. Putting it really simply...life is short...there is a lot to be done. If you are on this site then there has to be an inclination to do good. How can we be doing good when we get sucked into these sites? There is only one sin in all of it. We are wasting time when we could and should be doing good deeds in the world. I am weak like the rest. It applies to me too. I do not feel guilty about it and I certainly would not want to be forced into a deceptive response by it. The sad thing is that it is not bringing out the best in us..and time is extremely precious.If you only live ten years more then there is only 3,650 days left. How many days of our lives do we waste on porn? No not me , not just me, all of us. No wonder someone called it the Interporn as opposed to the Internet. I must say this is a really good time to turn the big ship round in the opposite direction.
(4) A, October 5, 2008 1:19 PM
social network addiction
Thank you for this introductory article. I hope to see more on this topic. I have seen articles about rabbis that have warned against the dangers of the internet but it''s a topic that needs to be taken more seriously. This is something that snuck up on me, so to speak. I could go on about the various pitfalls the yetzer hara -- the evil inclination can lead one into on social networking sites in particular, aside from the time wasted which is bad enough in and of itself. Personally I had to "hit bottom" and called a mentor who could not have said it better in telling me that I have to quit said site. Leading up to that moment I kept thinking I just need someone to tell me to stop directly. At that point I let my husband take over my account so I could only have controlled access and added another measure of "security" by giving him over access to my computer''s filtering software. These sites can take over your life and lead you to have inappropriate discussions with people you might not know as well as you might think, spy on other people, etc. This message needs to get out. I did NOT see this coming but thank G-d for taking me out of it before more damage was done.
(3) Batsheva, October 3, 2008 8:18 AM
We've lost the ability to communicate face-to-face
I love using the computer to get Torah knowledge from Aish.com and to share it with friends. What I don't like is people forwarding me junky e-mails in lieu of picking up the phone and talking to me, or even better, making a date to see me. With instant messaging (IM) and e-mail we've surrendered the social graces and substituted them with time-consuming, insubstantial, inconsequential, unmemorable messages.
(2) Denise, September 29, 2008 5:25 AM
I rue all the time I've spent on the computer
I am definitely addicted and this is a good reminder that I can spend my time in much better ways. I have also received so many hurtful emails. My husband and son are always reminding me that nothing important should be said in an email, face to face or on the phone are much better ways to do it so you can gauge the other person's reaction, tone etc. On the computer one always has the stinging words in black and white to reread and it can get forwarded to the whole world.
(1) Lai Hon Leong, September 28, 2008 6:28 AM
Print Out Necessary Articles
I usually print out necessary articles and read them off the computer. This will minimise my exposure to flashy adverts. Also, sometimes I just plain don't use the computer and head on to the library.