Filtering provides blocking without accountability. Monitoring provides accountability without blocking.
Because of a large demand, Covenant Eyes developed its own filter incorporating many parental and administrative controls, introducing this user friendly and very effective product in July 2007.
Filtering attempts to block a person from viewing potentially harmful websites, not hold the viewer accountable. Most filters use a "black list" of known websites that are deemed to be objectionable. If the site you attempt to visit is on the "black list," it is blocked; if it is not on the "black list," it is allowed. Surveys indicate that "black lists" fail to include 5 to 30 percent or more of harmful sites.
The Covenant Eyes Accountability Program never blocks access to desirable sites, and is extremely difficult to bypass. Covenant Eyes maintains a record of sites visited by username. This record or "Accountability Report" is sent by email to the Accountability Partner(s) on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. In addition, the Accountability Report can be viewed by the Covenant Eyes user or Accountability Partners at any time at our website's Member Center. Covenant Eyes reduces temptation and eliminates the secrecy of using the Internet. Covenant Eyes Internet Accountability works!
Covenant Eyes Internet Accountability
Filtering / Blocking
Provides accountability without blocking.
Provides blocking without accountability. The Covenant Eyes Filter can be used in conjunction with the Covenant Eyes Accountability program, or separately.
Monitors all website visits, including image searches, newsgroups, most file-sharing and FTP. Helps build self-control, self-discipline, integrity, and personal accountability. Monitors without blocking. Covenant Eyes is a proven, effective Internet safety tool.
Blocks most objectionable websites from appearing on your computer screen. The best filters have white lists (the Account Guardian chooses a list of allowed sites, and all other sites are blocked). They also allow optional control for time of day or total time spent by a user on the Internet. The best ones also allow blocking of specific protocols such as file-sharing, newsgroups, FTP, etc. The Covenant Eyes filter uses a unique real-time scoring system with subsequent blocking of questionable websites, as well as white lists, black lists, and time controls.
Does not block any sites from being viewed, but teaches responsible use of the Internet. Knowing that your Accountability Partner will be "looking over your shoulder" eliminates temptation.
May block acceptable websites, causing frustration.
Does not block all objectionable websites, possibly exposing individuals to harmful, objectionable material. The Covenant Eyes filter can also block other protocols such as Instant Messenger.
Covenant Eyes is designed not to slow Internet access down.
Filters may slow the speed of Internet access down.
The program is extremely difficult to bypass (even for techies).
Most filters can be bypassed allowing the user access to objectionable websites without anyone knowing it.
Accountability Partners need to view the reports in a timely manner and communicate when needed.
Filters do not need Accountability Partners.
The scoring of websites is an indicator of possible pornographic content. Information is provided in a report which is easy to understand. Internet accountability brings in Accountability Partner(s) to help you be accountable and keep you safe on the Internet.
Filters do not build self-control, self-discipline, nor do they hold anyone accountable for their Internet use. They do not involve an accountability person. Filtering allows you to stay secret about a pornography problem.
Covenant Eyes is designed to notify a partner via email if the Covenant Eyes user tries to tamper with the program, uninstall it, or remove their Accountability Partner(s).
No one knows if a person has uninstalled the filter to possibly view objectionable material.
Able to have separately scored Accountability Reports for each person in the family, staff, or company. Administrators have access to Administrative Summary Reports which allows a quick view of large accounts.
The best filters, including the Covenant Eyes filter, allow individual settings for different users. Only the administrator for a filter account has access to the password to make changes.
Accountability should be used by anybody who uses the Internet even if filtering is also used.
Filtering is most appropriate for young children beginning to learn the Internet, or for any family just starting out with a computer. Filtering is also appropriate for individuals who absolutely do not want to see any objectionable site.
