The Terrible Virus
But wait, is it really just 1%? Or are we lulling ourselves into a false sense of security? According to those who work with troubled youths, the rate is far higher.
So say also those who deal with shalom bayis issues. And the dayanim who serve on the Bais Din for gittin. And the rabbonim who are involved in all of these cases and more. It becomes apparent that the true toll of internet casualties is higher probably shockingly higher, than any of us can imagine. What we have seen and heard is only the tip of the iceberg.
We must realize that to be honest with ourselves we cannot count only those who have openly dropped their former lifestyle as a result of internet exposure. There are many who continue to go through their daily lives as before, continue to go through the motions of maintaining the Torah observant way of life, yet inside they have rotted completely.
How many boys continue to attend yeshiva, how many girls continue to attend Bais Yaakov, yet their hearts and minds are plugged up by what they have learned elsewhere. The delicacies they are served by their rabbeim and moros cannot compete with the junk food and pork they gorge in secrecy. The young man who sits next to you in shul with tallis and tefillin may feel completely estranged from his own actions as a result of tasting from the illicit waters. These people are going through the motions, while on the inside they have hardened into something not Jewish.
If only we could have all internet users fill out a secret poll about how many times they chanced upon disgusting photos, lashon hara, immoral movies and clips, we would learn very quickly just how safe internet use really is. Better yet: How many frum internet users would willingly submit to having the log of all the websites they visited in the past 12 months publicized for the entire world to see?
Everyone knows that it is dangerous to log onto the internet without any antivirus protection. There are literally thousands of worms, viruses, Trojan horses and other forms of spyware that are out to get you. They steal your personal information, destroy your computer and expose you to criminals who are there to hurt you and take advantage of you. Does exposing yourself to even worse spiritual dangers deserve any less concern?