NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)–A free resource kit with materials for churches to plan and conduct an Internet safety seminar is available from LifeWayonline in conjunction with Children’s Internet Safety Month.
LifeWayonline is the filtered Internet service of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
In April, the United States Congress designated October as Children’s Internet Safety Month. Thirty-seven state attorneys general have backed the resolution. The main objective is to “support parents and guardians in promoting the creative development of children by encouraging the use of the Internet in a safe, positive manner with the aid of Internet filtering and blocking technologies,” according to the resolution.
“LifeWay is committed to helping families ensure their online experience is a safe and productive one,” said Gary McClure, manager of LifeWayonline. “Our goal is to help families better understand this important spiritual battle by offering an in-depth educational program for churches.”
The Internet Safety Program includes a seminar, videos, safety guides, a step-by-step manual and other materials.
LifeWayonline protects Internet users by filtering out more than 20 categories of offensive material including pornography, alcohol and drug use, gambling, weapons and bomb making, violence, hate/discrimination, profane language and selected chat sites.
A Ministry Discount Program is available to churches and their local, regional or state cooperative ministry organizations schools; childcare and other Christian ministries administered by those organizations; Christian seminaries, full-time paid staff and faculty of a qualifying organization; and full-time active and furloughed missionaries of a qualifying organization.
Through this program subscribers pay $15.95 a month for the service.
Ministry Discount Program accounts can be opened at www.info.lifewayonline.com (see Ministry Tools) or by calling (888) 454-5965.
Other Internet safety-related resources from LifeWay include Web Wise, a discipleship resource through which children in first through sixth grades can learn about the Internet at church and take work sheets to use with their parents at the computer at home. Children are introduced to rules of Internet etiquette as part of Web Wise.
Broadman & Holman, LifeWay’s trade book publishing arm, has released Going Online @ Home. The book is a practical guide for families on how to get the most out of an online experience and includes a free CD for LifeWayonline.
The free resource kit is available by calling toll free 1-888-408-5580 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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