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I am writing as a bochur who is sincerely working on maintaining kedushah in an increasingly challenging world. The struggle for shmiras habris is real, and for many of us, having proper internet filtering is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity. However, the current high costs of premium computer (not smartphones which are subsidized) filters such as Techloq and GenTech make this struggle hard.
For a bochur, especially one who may be in yeshiva or just starting out in life, finances are often very limited. When the only high-quality filtering options come at a steep price, it creates a painful dilemma: either take the risk of using unfiltered or poorly filtered internet, or strain to afford the protection needed for spiritual well-being.
Filtering should not be a business—it should be a chessed. Just as organizations exist to help with tzedakah, food, and medical expenses, the fight for kedushah should be a communal responsibility. Instead of operating for profit, internet filters should be sponsored by those who care about the ruchniyus of Klal Yisrael, ensuring that every Yid will be able to access that protection without any financial strain. No one should have to make that choice- which many times will leave spritual pursuits by the wayside.
Many of us deeply want to do the right thing but feel that proper tools are being placed out of reach. A more affordable solution—or at least financial assistance for those who need it—would make a world of difference in ensuring that every bochur has access to this protection.
I urge those in positions of influence to recognize this reality and work towards making internet filtering more affordable and accessible, so that maintaining Kedusha can be something we can all strive for.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this concern. I hope that together, we can find a way to make internet safety a priority for all!
– A Bachur with an unfiltered laptop, striving for more!
Troll?
The username kind of gives this away. No struggling bochur would publicize this by creating a username that illustrates this point.
In case you wanted to know, filtering was cheap when it came out. More expenses to perfect them so that they were more foolproof and effective have driven the costs higher. (No, I don’t work for them. But you can pretty much figure this out by looking at how cheap the filters were when they were introduced to the frum world and and then looking at the prices now.opendns is free
you should also put your laptop (or better desktop with a large screen) in a living room so that others in your family see your screen.
I agree that internet filters are costly, and also think it would be good if financial assisatance were available for this.
At the same time, a computer needs to be used with a filter and just like you didn’t get financial assistance when buying the computer, you should not expect to get financial assistance (or for free) an internet filter.
You seem to agree that you should not be using a computer without a filter. And yet you sign you name “a bachur with an ulfiltered laptop” which I take that to mean that you use an unfiltered laptop. So why are you not following your values, and using this laptop?
The same way you would not drive a car that has only punctured tires – and you can’t afford new tires, – you should not use a device that doesn’t have a filter on it.StrugglingBachur:
Businesses need to make money, but there certainly should be chesed organizations who could help bachurim increase their level of kedusha, including sponsoring a filter for them. Maybe some gevirim will get together to make it happen.Consider switching to a desktop with a large monitor. The computer should be set up in the most public place in the house, with the monitor situated so it will be clearly visible to everyone else in the house. Even if fear of Ha-Shem doesn’t keep you from abusing the computer, fear of everyone else in the house (parents, siblings, spouse, guests, etc.) will.
Start with the most effective filtering technology you can afford and upgrade when you can. Some degree of filtering is obviously preferable to none at all and generally, there are new market entrants offering improved software at lower cost. And of course, also use one of the multiple free or low cost virus protecton software which often will also filter out multiple sites with pritzus
How much are your vehicle expenses monthly? How much do you spend on bottled water a month? How much do you spend on non essential food and beverages a month?
How much is it already?
$100 ?? Is it not worth it??I wonder how much those complaining about the cost of filters spend to buy the “Most Mehudar” Esrogim?
Techloq is $12.99 per month or $139 annually.
I don’t know if that’s considered “exorbitant”, but it’s a necessity, not a luxury, especially for someone who’s struggling.
It would be nice if everything we needed would be sponsored as a chessed, but if it’s not, we can’t shirk our responsibilities with the excuse that someone else should have paid for it.
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