Internet Custody of the Eyes: A Way to Break Gripping Porn Addiction

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Custody of the eyes is the ancient practice of keeping the eyes averted so that they don’t stumble upon impure or otherwise inappropriate images or, once stumbling upon something impure, quickly averting the eyes. For example you might see a young lady or young man dressed in immodest attire and you quickly avert your gaze.

Saint Alphonsus Liguori said that:

“To avoid the sight of dangerous objects, the saints were accustomed to keep their eyes almost continually fixed on the earth, and to abstain even from looking at innocent objects.”

Although custody of the eyes is something usually discussed among men because men are so visual, women should be vigilant as well.

What is Internet Custody of the Eyes?

What I’m calling “internet custody of the eyes” is the act of doing whatever it takes for your eyes to not land or linger on inappropriate images and video.

I first learned the importance of internet filtering software when my 8 year old and I stumbled upon a bestiality image on the computer. I was absolutely horrified and I really couldn’t think of how to explain it to her. I pray that God wiped that image from her mind.

The horrific thing is that porn is so pervasive that 32% of boys and 18% of girls have seen bestiality online.

Here Are Some More Troubling Statistics About Children & Porn

83% of boys and 57% of girls have seen group sex online
9/10 boys are exposed to pornography before age 18
6/10 girls are exposed to pornography before age 18
9 out of 10 boys are exposed to pornography before the age of 18.
The first exposure to pornography among men is12 years old, on average.
71% of teens hide online behavior from their parents.
28% of 16-17 year olds have been unintentionally exposed to porn online.
20% of 16-year-olds and 30% of 17-year-olds have received a sext.

Want to find out how software can help you break your porn addiction?

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Porn addiction in Marriage

You would think Christians are not affected by pornography. Think again.

64% of Christian men and 15% of Christian women say they watch porn at least once a month.
70% of wives of sex addicts could be diagnosed with PTSD.
A study by Proven Men Ministries found that 7% of males admit to viewing porn several times a day, compared to one percent among Christian females.

Men who struggle with purity find themselves in a cycle of shame, confession, hope and shame again. They pray and pray but find themselves falling into the same porn addiction repeatedly. This greatly affects the relationship between the addict and the spouse who is trying to make it work. It is a cross.

Of Phone And Porn

To make it worse, pornographic imagery is not only available through computers, but adult content

sites are easily accessible through smartphones. It’s a bit easier to hide what you’re doing on a phone because you could be doing a variety of things including texting, playing games and shopping. It is common to be on one’s phone late into the evening, while in bed. Lots of kids have phones under the age of 10.

So What is a Struggling Catholic Porn Addict to do?

Fortunately, there are products on the market that help with control and accountability when it comes to internet porn.

Filtering software

Filtering software blocks inappropriate content based on age range. It can also be used for adults too.

Parents can easily adjust the filter’s sensitivity as their kids grow older, meaning the Filter grows with them.
Adults can have the Filter Guardian set the Filter to block only highly mature websites as an extra layer of protection, and can even ask for override rights.

Accountability Software

What if you could send a report of your Internet activity to a friend or mentor so you could discuss your online struggles? Would you like to see the sites your kids visit, the YouTube videos they watch, and the search terms they use? That’s possible too.

This type of accountability is obviously good for discussions with children, but it also helps deal with pornography use within marriage. If a partner knows he will need to explain why he went to a site, he is less likely to click on inappropriate material. It builds trust with the non-addict spouse, that the porn addict is willing to work with the spouse to fight this temptation.

Where Can I Get This Type of Software?

If you’ve been thinking about buying internet accountability software, you should check out Covenant Eyes below. They are a Christian company and are a great contributor in the fight against porn addiction. The software makes internet custody of the eyes a no-brainer.

Want to find out how software can help you break your porn addiction?

***Get 30-days FREE with promo code BSA (website purchase only. In app purchase does not allow for promo code usage plus you will pay more for the product).***

Other Resources

Free E-book Downloads

*** If you choose to purchase on the Covenant Eyes website, be sure to get get 30-days FREE with promo code BSA (website purchase only. In app purchase does not allow for promo code usage plus you will pay more for the product).***

The Porn Circuit: Free E-book on the Science of Porn Use
Understand your brain and break porn habits in 90 days.
Pornography Statistics
250+ Facts, Quotes, and Statistics About Pornography Use (2015 Edition)
Parenting the Internet Generation
A Blueprint for Teaching Digital Discernment

Books on Amazon

Prayers

Our lady teaches us how to be pure, so we should always include her as part of any fight against pornography.

The Memorae

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

Amen.

The Rosary

The Rosary is the most effective prayer when it comes to fighting porn addiction or any sin of impurity.

If you would like to pray along with someone, check out comepraytherosary.com, if you’re using a laptop or desktop.

If you are using a phone, the site doesn’t work on a phone last time I checked, so use this video instead.

May God help you on your journey!