Internet Outreach Ministry, Inc.
Safe Searching Guidelines
Internet Outreach Ministry is providing
these guidelines to help you search for the help you are seeking online
without putting yourself at risk. The Internet is the most incredible tool
imaginable for searching for help online. You will find countless websites
offering God's help for your specific problems, but you must use wisdom and
caution in what to divulge about your personal situation and what accept and
apply to your own situation.
The best way to stay safe is to not divulge any personal information or
intimate details about your struggle or problem or situation, and never pay
money to a website for help. If you feel they will be able to help you,
either find a way to meet them or just accept the help they offer without
paying for it or giving information about yourself.
Anyone can put up a website, and say they have a degree or title and show a
list of scholastic accomplishments or cite experience in the field in which
you are seeking information. The best advice is to not trust what a person
says about themselves online unless you can personally verify it.
Online advice can be very dangerous if it is the wrong advice given with
good intent by an unqualified person, and even more so if it is given for
wrong motives. It is fine to surf around and see who says what about the
issues you are dealing with, but the last word is God's Word. If you see
anything that doesn't line up with the scriptures, its best to just toss it
out... it is either worthless or harmful.
The best way to get good advice about personal issues is face-to-face with
your Pastor or a trusted mature Christian or a qualified Christian
counselor. Meanwhile, please be cautious about who you take advice from over
the Internet, and don't make any decisions based on online advice without
real life confirmation.
Following these suggestions will help make your internet searching safe and
helpful.
The IOM Staff
(Click on TERMS OF USE for
a more detailed information on how to properly use the Internet.)