(Book Review)

SECULAR ISP COMMENDS CHRISTIAN BOOK TO HIS CUSTOMERS

A commercial Internet Service Provider has just sent the following book review to all his customers. To encourage purchases, he even stocked copies for ready availability at cost to a clientele who would generally not know much about finding Christian bookshops.

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Recommended Reading

There are many books written about the Internet – some good, some outdated before they reach the shelves, and still some more that seem to present an American slant that just doesn’t quite match up to Australian reality. Recently, we caught sight of a book that’s relevant – and addresses one of the biggest concerns that a lot of you have about the Internet.

Title: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Making the Internet Family Friendly

Authors: Brian Lang & Bill Wilson

ISBN: 0-7852-7568-1

Publisher: Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville TN. First Published: 1999 Pages: 171 (Australian RRP: $13.95)

Now, please don’t let the title put you off! Sure this book is written from a Christian perspective, and yes, it quotes scriptures in places. Is it relevant and helpful for non-Christians? Absolutely!

This book is the best example I have ever seen of a simple guide to managing Internet access in a family environment. It is clearly written. Although technical terms are introduced, they’re "broken to you" gently and in plain-English terms.

Each chapter of the book is introduced with a story. Through the fictional Webb family and a few of their friends, various problems are demonstrated. The remainder of the chapter is then devoted to an analysis of the story and discussion of the issues involved.

Although the stories are all fictional, they are based on true-life experiences. My opinion was that they were all quite realistic and that they serve as valuable "scene-setters". The stories allow this book to present more than just theories – instead, the result is a practical guide.

Issues covered include: Chat services, Software piracy, search engines, online commerce, newsgroups, pornography, filtering software & Internet addiction. Probably the most valuable information presented is in the area of setting "Family Boundaries" – ground rules for your children to live by. The practical explanation of this important first-step is the best I have ever seen.

Summary: Recommended reading for anyone who’s:

• Concerned about the kids getting into dangerous Internet situations
• Interested to understand more about WHAT the kids ARE doing!
• Concerned about how their own activities may by putting THEM at risk inadvertantly.

Alan Williamson, Virtual Computers Pty Ltd