>>There is UNQUESTIONABLY a lot of shmutz in this world, no doubt about that. But the things you mention show a singular hysteria that is a typical component of decriers of the internet (and why are you posting on it, btw, if you are so opposed and “cannot fathom anything worse in this world?”). Do you seriously not think there are FAR worse, DARKER things in this world than the internet? If so, then I don’t think that I am the naive one, nor do I need to prove a point, because you prove it for me.<<
No, I just know that any of these dark things have sites representing them. I am not saying it should be banned for that reason. Simply questioning the notion that the good outweighs the bad.
>> All things, money, food, enjoyment of nature, etc. can be used for good purposes or nefarious ones. If we asser everything because it has a potential for bad, then we also lose out on its potential for good<<
Agreed, but realize, just like there are sites out there working on suicide prevention, there are sites out there where people encourage each other to actually commit suicide and give advice on how to do it.
I have no issue with the Gedolim assuring it based upon the notion that the bad outweighs the good. They told us to forgo the zechusim of the Shofar and lulav because of the MERE POTENTIAL of chillul shabbos did they not?!?
>>Your remark about kids being abducted, as it relates to frum kids, bothered me a great deal. Many kids who are abducted, meet predators in on-line chat rooms. It is far more likely to happen in the general (rather than frum)population where kids need to truly be monitored in their computer use, both at home and by friends<<
In 1995 I was in my mid-teens and active on the youth boards of the Jewish forum of AOL (way back before the offered an unlimited plan). My bio was up in the penpal section. TWICE a frum guy e-mailed me claiming to be in his 40s, from Brooklyn, like me, asking to befriend me. Needless to say I shunned his request. (I wonder to this day if her was successful)