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Virtual Integrity
activities. Although this is a tough habit to break, scheduling com
puter time can actually focus tasks and reduce temptations. I ’ve
found that holidays, vacations, business trips out of state, and other
“downtimes” can bring added time and opportunity to wander. I
Remember the adage “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” Try
to go the extra mile to plan fun, offline activities during vacations
and holidays. When traveling on business, get out and see the city
or visit a distant relative.
When I was growing up in Baltimore, my parents kept me “en
gaged” in a variety of sports and church activities—all the time.
Don’t m isunderstand, I enjoyed going to every Vacation Bible
School in West Baltimore every summer. It was just a little strange
to be the son of a Lutheran pastor attending a Methodist, Baptist,
Episcopal, Pentecostal, or even another Lutheran church’s week-
long events.
Once the parameters are set, there is a variety of timers and
tools that can help—especially with kids. Some solutions, like the
Bob TV/video game time manager from Hopscotch Technology,27
will cut off power when the time runs out. To control access,
kids must type in an authorized PIN. Time-Scout Monitor28 has
similar functionality bu t uses swipe cards instead of a PIN to
control access.
Of course, careful thought and discussion need to be given to
determ ining the maximum amount of time (and freedom) an
adult or children should be allotted online. The website Inter-
netSafety.com lists “10 Signs Your Child Is Breaking the Rules
Online.” Most of these signs also apply to adults. Here are four
samples:
1. You or your child receives unusual amounts of unsolicited
e-mail or pop-ups.
2. Your child tries to block the computer screen or quickly closes
the window in which he is typing.
3. Your child spends an unusual amount of time online, especially
in the evenings.
4. You discover inapp ropria te images or files on your com
puter.29
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