Book review: You, your family and the Internet (David Clark)

[amazon_link id=”B007UOATZU” target=”_parent” container=”” container_class=”” ][/amazon_link]Internet is everywhere. Whether we use a computer or not, Internet has changed the way we live in a radical way. As someone said: “the web is the biggest media revolution since the printing press”. No one can escape the internet. That’s why Christians need to understand what it is, in order to use it in a way that honor God. But many of those who were brought up before the internet revolution are using it without really understanding it, and those who are being brought up with it are using it without any critical approach. Whether one is an expert or a novice, we must all do our homework and understand something about the web, and how to use it wisely. This book addresses this subject. It has been written with the purpose “to help you think through how best to use the Internet in your own situation”.

It is a subject I’ve been thinking through recently, and I read this little book with interest. I am also the father of 3 boys, and the eldest is getting interested in the computer. Off course, his brother wants to do like him. “You, your family and the Internet” provides a good introduction to those who have little knowledge and understanding of the Internet and how it works. Some might have heard of it’s dangers and are rather suspicious. Others are dismissing those dangers and using the Internet heavily. This little book encourages balance in our approach to the whole matter.

I enjoyed reading it. I found the explanations of how the internet works easy to follow. Its main dangers are clearly outlined, as well as some of its advantages. It provides some helpful principles and it gives some practical advice, without falling into legalism. It is a quick read and it will provide everyone with some foundations for a deeper reflection on this communication revolution. It doesn’t answer all the questions but it definitely will put the readers on the right track.

Christians will still need to be trained to use the Internet though. I don’t think that reading this little book would have prevented the church member who recently fell for a phishing scam after replying to an email pretending to come from her email provider and asking for her login details.