From John Woodhouse:
I am asking all members of the College community to help us address the serious problem of internet pornography in the manner explained on this web page.
We need to acknowledge frankly that pornography — and in particular internet pornography — is powerful and harmful. I do not want to exaggerate its power, nor sensationalise the harm it can do. However pornography exploits and misuses good, powerful, natural, God-given instincts and can do immense harm to individuals, their relationships (including marriages) and ministries. Of course pornography can be just one factor among several in personal or relationship problems. It is foolish, however, to pretend that pornography itself is not seriously destructive.
I realise that I am asking you to do something that will take some time and effort. But it is more than worth it. My hope is that together we will act to diminish the power of internet pornography and thus reduce its potential to harm people, marriages and ministries. I am asking you to join in creating a ‘culture’ in which this force is largely neutralised.
Why am I asking you to be involved?
If you are one of the many people who has struggled or is struggling with internet pornography, I doubt that you will need persuading that this is a good thing for us to be doing. I encourage you to take this opportunity to be strengthened and protected, perhaps decisively. It may be wise for you to seek more help than this, but this may well play a large part in putting this struggle behind you. Others certainly testify to finding it so.
If you are a person who has never struggled in this area, may I suggest that there are two good reasons for you to be involved nonetheless.
First, it would be naïve to assume that temptation will never touch you here.
Second, out of love for others I urge you to play a part in making this ‘what we do around here’, so that it is that much easier for a struggling brother or sister to receive this help.
I do not think it is too much to say that if we work together at this there may well be marriages and ministries saved. I hope that you will act as soon as possible.
I hope that we will face the menace of internet pornography, talk honestly about it (without, of course, breaching any confidentiality) so that we can learn from one another, looking not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Involvement in Covenant Eyes is voluntary, and no one will be checking who has and who has not joined up. This does not mean that your participation is unimportant. On the contrary.
A fuller statement from me on this proposal.
John Woodhouse.
Brief description of how Covenant Eyes works
Covenant Eyes is a piece of software which monitors all internet activity on the computers on which it is installed. This activity is sent to the Covenant Eyes company, which analyses the sites visited to see if any might be questionable. A weekly report is created and then sent to one or two Accountability Partners, who can keep you accountable as to your internet activity. The ranking provided is not perfect, so some quite innocent sites might be listed - this can be dealt with by discussion with your partner(s). More details about how the system works can be found in the Useful Documents below. There are versions for PC and Mac computers, and you can install it on as many computers as you use with the one account.
How do I join?
Step 1: Ask one or two people to be your Accountability Partners (or if you prefer, Keith Condie can pair you with another student in your year).
Step 2: Complete the online Application Form. Fill this form in online and then press the Submit Application button which is located at the bottom of the form.
Step 3: Within a week, your details will be sent to Covenant Eyes for your account to be created. (If you requested Keith Condie to select a partner, this will take a bit longer).
Step 4: Within another week, your account will be created and you will receive a confirmation from Covenant Eyes. This confirmation will give you details about how to download and install the software. Your Accountability Partner(s) will also be sent an email asking them to agree to become your partner.
Step 5: If there are any issues with the software, then contact the Covenant Eyes help desk (details can be found at http://www.covenanteyes.com/help_and_support/ ) If there are any other issues, send an email to ce@moore.edu.au .
NOTE: If your Covenant Eyes account is not used for a period of one month, it may be deleted. You will then need to reapply for a new account.
Useful Documents
1. Covenant Eyes Accountability Brochure
2. Covenant Eyes User Guide for New Members
3. Partner User Guide Sept 2007
4. Understanding the Accountability Report Sept (updated March 2008)
Downloading Covenant Eyes
Covenant Eyes software can be downloaded from http://www.covenanteyes.com/download/
If there are problems downloading from this site, then there is a local copy of the software below:
Windows Version (4.2.8) (available soon)
Continue Covenant Eyes when you leave college
We would encourage you to keep using Covenant Eyes when you leave college. You will need to transfer your account from the college to a private account. The easiest way to do this, is to complete the attached form and send it to
§ Mr. Sam Black at sblack@covenanteyes.com
Feedback
We would welcome your feedback. Please send your feedback to ce@moore.edu.au.
Confidentiality Statement
The Covenant Eyes program at Moore College is managed by Keith Condie & William Hood. Apart from the Covenant Eyes company, these are the only two people who will see any application forms or any correspondance related to the program. No identfiable information will be given to any other person or organisation - however, statistics and feedback (with names removed) may be given to other staff or faculty.