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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.
Look into Truple as a very creative and Torah-based solution…
Large screen in the living room might not be a bad idea, but it is not the answer for a struggling bochur (or anybody). You need a good filter, preferably coupled with WebChaver. And be in touch with GYE.
Repeating myself as several people repeated the same – do not use phone, do not use laptop in your room. Put a desktop (or at least attach your laptop) in the living room where others can see what you are doing. Several people might have a whole row where you’ll be successfully using laptop to access torah materials; national geographic; and SAT prep classes. Also, have that laptop being used by several people in the same account. And put opendns and safety options into your search engine.
@
☕ DaasYochid ☕
The problem is that many of us get multiple devices it’s not unheard of for a family to have 7-8 devices . Those costs add up. And it’s continuous unlike the device which is one time expense. Furthermore, they run it so like a business. I once had an issue whereby I mistakenly signed up twice for the same fliter and was double charged. They refused to provide a refund for the extra until i threatened to dispute the charge and go public. They also played this game that the billing dept or anyone high up was never available when i tried to call. In reality it’s one little office with 3 people.(they think i am stupid)I don’t know who the poster above is or if it’s a troll, but I can say that I agree with him. It’s a chutzpah that on the one hand everyone preaches to get a filter and tag is so holy but they charge plus nickel and dime. I noted this in another forum. You could continue to believe that everyone is so sold on filters like a food hashgacha. But it’s really not the same. And people aren’t sold. Tag and others need to stop all this nickel and dimming. Yes you can offer free filters too with a requested donation . I guarantee if you do you’d fine the money. I don’t buy that you can’t . You just a want the perks of saying how helig the mosad is without sweating. The altitude needs to change. And certainly stop Nickle and dimming
As far as I know, TAG doesn’t charge for installation, but the filter companies do charge for the filters.
It’s expensive to develop and constantly update the software, and they have people on call 24 hours a day to open sites as needed, so I don’t think they’re overcharging.
preferably coupled with WebChaver
Absolutely! I highly recommend this for all your devices.
why does a family need all these devices?
to stay constantly connected with friends after school? Definitely, not necessary, especially for boys.> Large screen in the living room might not be a bad idea, but it is not the answer for a struggling bochur
why? what is your struggling bochur going to do with the screen in front of his parents and siblings?
Having screen in a public place is one of the first recommendations from one of the organizations who work to deal with this issue.
If things moved too far, they suggest for parents to negotiate – buy some fancy new device and any other benefits in exchange for
keeping device in the public place. Additional safeguard – have more than child per room, even if you can afford to have separate rooms.When you suggest filtering in the privacy of his own room instead of monitoring by the family, you are outsourcing family to some filter
and webchaver… this should not be your first line of defence. Just start using computers together with kids, modeling for them what good
things you can do. Post about it on YWN together 🙂Daas > It’s expensive to develop and constantly update the software,
Passive defense is sometimes necessary, but it is a losing fight. Don’t hope that some software will solve the kid’s problems. Start with spending time with the child, then teach him to use computers for things that are both good and interesting, then supervise him by keeping computer in the living room, and – only then – consider adding filters if necessary.
TAG has connections with filter companies. They should be offering free filters even if it means that TAG needs to pay something for the filters. That’s what tzedaka is about. Tomechai Shabbos doesn’t raise its own chickens either. At minimum I am saying that TAG should be offering those filters free for those that can’t afford it. It doesn’t mean you can’t ask those that can afford it to pay
Start with spending time with the child
The OP in this case is the child
They should be offering free filters
If you would sponsor it, they probably would.
Unless you know that TAG has plenty of money lying around and are still not sponsoring free filters, I don’t think it’s fair to let it on them more than on anyone else.
It’s a tezdaka for a reason. The basic premise of its cause is to get people to have filters. That’s how it started. I got it that they grew now but that’s still the fundamental. You don’t encourage people by charging and then collecting as if it’s a tezadka. Bikur cholim doesn’t charge for its food. It’s also small minded of them. On todays society when one Shabbos of aderi Torah Collects $5M+ don’t tell me they can’t get their act together to fundraise for that . This is their cause . Stop coming with this altitude that it’s accepted everyone pay but you are a tzadka
AAQ> Start with spending time with the child
Daas> The OP in this case is the childFair comment! I commend the OP that he is looking for the solutions himself.
In this case, spend more time with his parents!
R Twersky writes about a child of a psychologist who came to his father saying: I saved $100 already, can I use it to have an hour of your time?I’m all in favor of subsidized or even free filters.
What I’m against is people feeling they are entitled to it, and using that as an excuse to be on an unfiltered device.
Techloq is $10 a month. If that’s too much for you, may I suggest perhaps speaking to a Rov who can find an anonymous sponsor for you?
If that’s still too much, OpenDNS is free. However, it doesn’t have the subtlety of Techloq and GenTech. Meaning, you either block everything except a small whitelist, or websites are blocked based on category which isn’t perfect and doesn’t block pictures. Personally, I prefer OpenDNS for the computers I do work on and Techloq for personal devices. Because Techloq and GenTech use something called certificate interception which allows someone working there to read all of your passwords and information, even encrypted.
@ DaasYochid:
“I’m all in favor of subsidized or even free filters.
What I’m against is people feeling they are entitled to it, and using that as an excuse to be on an unfiltered device.”1000% agree.
I doubt I could have put it better than you did.
in the TROLLER mosdos it is free, in fact its a safe assumtion that the OP is a troller
In the current world, even a bochur needs at least minimal access to web-based apps for purposes of updates on emergency situations, online banking and bill pay, summoning an Uber/Lyft for transportation needs, purchasing an airline ticket or changing reserverations, etc. Those who question the need for ANY computer or smart phone either live in a cave or suggesting others do so. The cost of basic filtering is NOT prohibitive even for a bochur on a limited budget compared to other expenditures.
@☕ DaasYochid ☕
But thats the point whether you agree or disagree more people than you’d think are not sold on filters yet. Others will nod their heards but inside aren’t sold on it either. Call it what you want. if its not free less people filter.. I also wouldn’t call it an “entitlement” but just like I don’t think anyone thinks they are entitled to free food from Bikur cholim, you still wouldn’t charge for the food, the same is true with TAG. This is the whole point of TAGIn the current world, even a bochur needs at least minimal access to web-based apps for purposes of updates on emergency situations, online banking and bill pay, summoning an Uber/Lyft for transportation needs, purchasing an airline ticket or changing reserverations, etc. Those who question the need for ANY computer or smart phone either live in a cave or suggesting others do so.
Tell that to the thousands of yeshiva bochurim who don’t have regular access to the internet.
You are the one living in a cave if you think bochurim can’t live without it.
more people than you’d think are not sold on filters yet
The OP is sold on filters. He just doesn’t want to pay for one.
This is the whole point of TAGNo, their point is to encourage and help facilitate installing filters. Their mission is not to pay for them.
As I said, I would have no problem if filters were subsidized/paid for, but the reality is there isn’t currently funding for it, and it’s unfair to blame any organization for that, and nobody should use that yo justify using an unfiltered device.
@ DaasYochid ☕
“No, their point is to encourage and help facilitate installing filters.”
Thats whitewashing and using excuses like TAG does because they are lazy to fundraise. When they started the mosad years ago it was to get people to have filters. Everyone knows that. This fine line that its only here to “raise awareness” and facilitate but not to install is just an excuse. Most pople who donate to the tzedka do so because they want people to get filters. This kind hairsplitting is an excuse and frankly its a little deceiving once you call it a tzedka. And even if you feel no this was only their mission statement, since they are in this space and do all the work already, it wouyld be incumbent on them to be big boys and go the full route. Stop the hair splitting.
I get your argument that there isn’t funding but I don’t buy it. BH people are so wealthy that its not hard to get funding. As I mentioned above, Aderi torah gets $5M+ for one shabbos and TAG can’t raise some money for filters? BH there is a shefa of gelt for everything under the sun. Furthermore, like I noted, TAG would still”request” that everyone who gets a filter pay and 90% would pay. You only need to raise for the 10%. Maybe 20%. I am not buying that there is no money for it. I think its mindset. Like es pas nisht to just give it out for free.
I just don’t understand what stops the OP from attaching his laptop in the public area of the house and then discuss the filters.
The yetzer hora
All he needs is a hammer and 4 nails to attach the laptop. No monthly fees.
Not to be insensitive, but is $10 a month really too unaffordable for someone who is comfortable enough to own a PC or smartphone with Internet?
@Yserbius123
it’s not $10 for a family who owns 8 or 9 devices at times.
And by the way a pc is $150 . Amex offers a free dell laptop just fyi. But that’s a side point.
And if you aren’t on top of things everytime you get a new device you need to cancel the old one or you’ll be charged. It’s also more like $15-$20 a month per device vs $13.
Lastly, it’s not just the cost it’s the idea that people are less pron to do something if you charge them. It’s the way humans are. And not everyone is convinced that a filter is an obligation . It’s looked at as a nice thing.Let me ask you if it’s really not so much money why can’t TAG pay for it . They run a multi million dollar organization and they can’t pay $10 a month? It’s so much money ? As I noted I bet bikur Cholom gives out more meals a day then TAG does filters. And food cost more than $10 a month? So if b cholim puts together the money why can’t TAG?
It’s always so annoying to see people FUMING mad at some organization for not *sponsoring* something that they like.
Side point: If someone doesn’t want a filter enough, and they’ll only get it if some random organization they don’t know pays for it – then the filter will probably do very little for them.
If you make people pay, then it has a lot more value. Even if a friend or relative gives them the money, they feel more indebted to let the fitler work.
Bikur Cholim isn’t Tomchei Shabbos.
They don’t give out food because people can’t afford it, they give out food to people who are in hospitals and have a hard time accessing food.
TAG isn’t about funding filters, it’s about helping people access them.
If you want to start an organization that pays for filters, I don’t think anyone will stop you.
BTW the OP is one person, not 8.
It’s always so annoying to see people FUMING mad at some organization for not *sponsoring* something that they like.
Agreed. Not sure “annoying” is the word I would use, but agree that’s it’s completely unfair.
☕ DaasYochid ☕
My analogy to bikkur Cholom and the way you explain it is exactly my point. Bikkur chilom could just place banding machines that charge so that people have access to food when they are vulnerable. That’s a cheeseed too. But they understand that part of the mitzva is to just give when people are vulnerable. The same is in ruchnyas . When people are vulnerable and you are trying to help with filters just give. Furthermore many bikkut choloms ask for donations in the hospital . And I gladly swipe my card.Re Tag isn’t about funding fiiltets rather it’s access. Again you are hair splitting double fold. Firstly, its goal is that you have a filter. Part of that is to fund it. Again it’s like saying bikkur Cholom isn’t about funding the food it’s about helping you access kosher food. It’s silly and absurd to split the two. And there is plenty of money for both.
Re your last point, that’s just again a moot point. I don’t have the know how or the expertise nor connections to be able to open or take on such a thing. They have the whole system set up already. It would also result in lots of duplicacy and waste of Money.
To sum it uo, Tag is in that space already. It’s hairsplitting to say they only help with accessing but don’t give the filter. It’s Klien kepatick and I think a cop out plus probably some Shultz involved too
@DaasYochid ☕
My analogy to bikkur Cholom and the way you explain it is exactly my point. Bikkur chilom could just place banding machines that charge so that people have access to food when they are vulnerable. That’s a cheeseed too. But they understand that part of the mitzva is to just give when people are vulnerable. The same is in ruchnyas . When people are vulnerable and you are trying to help with filters just give. Furthermore many bikkut choloms ask for donations in the hospital . And I gladly swipe my card.Re Tag isn’t about funding fiiltets rather it’s access. Again you are hair splitting double fold. Firstly, its goal is that you have a filter. Part of that is to fund it. Again it’s like saying bikkur Cholom isn’t about funding the food it’s about helping you access kosher food. It’s silly and absurd to split the two. And there is plenty of money for both.
Re your last point, that’s just again a moot point. I don’t have the know how or the expertise nor connections to be able to open or take on such a thing. They have the whole system set up already. It would also result in lots of duplicacy and waste of Money.
To sum it uo, Tag is in that space already. It’s hairsplitting to say they only help with accessing but don’t give the filter. It’s Klien kepatick and I think a cop out plus probably some Shultz involved too
@Menachem Shmei
i beg to differ. Firstly people especially those hesitant if the rav or school pushes they’d go if it’s free. The lines when things are free are always larger.Secondly even if people aren’t machsiv it I don’t think
It’s true that the filter will do very little. Once your phone is filtered you aren’t just buying a second phone. You’ll just keep that phone . A filter isn’t just like a separate item . It’s attached to your device . Once it’s there you’ll use it.Lastly I Guarantee if you ask an outsider what tag does they will say it provides filters . No it’s not a chutzpah to ask a mosod to do what it’s assumed it does. And years ago it did pay for filters. It’s only when they advanced. Like I noted this is hair splitting. A mosid should fully see through to its goal or it’s not a tzedaka
@DaasYochid ☕
#vending machines and not banding machines. I am not sure why auto correct does those silly thingsThis time I clarified something from this discussion.
Think of a doctor that does not recommend you to exercise and have a healthy lifestyle and giving you preventive medicine but reassures you – don’t worry at this rate, you will need heart and lung transplant in 10 years, I’ll be there for you! same with the car mechanic who does not do oil changes.There are simple first steps that you should take by yourself: put your computer in a public room; share that computer account with others; learn useful things to do on that computer; do them together with your parents and siblings; share your room with siblings; establish a sleep routine, etc. This advice probably has some details that are worthy discussing. If you ignore basics and only talk about filters that will “protect” the kid who is allowed to sit in a dark room at night with his phone – either this person is selling something (so it can not be “free”) or he is not very smart and you need to find other role models.
As an example, one of my kids was reading silly rhymes online and even generated by AI. Nothing inappropriate. I suggested googling a poem by Robert Frost. He did. “It does not rhyme” he said. I suggested – read slower .. now, he is taken by the road less taken …
Chaim, if your friend offers to fix your sink for free, and then tells you he needs to replace a $500 part, would you demand that he buy it himself because he volunteered to fix it for free?
@ Menachem Shmei
My friend isn’t a tzedaka trying to convince me to get filters when I am not yet convinced. TAG is a tzedaka Their end goal is to make sure people aren’t nichshoel with the internet . What do you think citifield was about ? You think R matsyhu started it just for a limited goal of “awareness” or was it to make sure you end yo having filters?
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