ost employees are aware that employers have the right to monitor employee use of the Internet on employer-provided Internet connections at the work site. Often, however, they appear to forget, or choose to ignore this fact. Because of the widespread and increasing use by employees of company-owned Internet for access to pornographic Web sites, employers are using software programs designed to block such access. The same software will monitor the number of times an employee accesses or attempts to access pornographic sites, will identify the user, the time of day, and length of time spent at the Web site. Length of access time usually will indicate if the site was accessed inadvertently.

Universities, colleges, and health-care institutions are no exception to employee use of the Internet to access pornographic sites. Unfortunately, this includes Adventist-owned institutions. Our university is following the practice, after identifying the user and length of time used, of offering counseling through the Employee or Student Assistance Program. Further, the particular software-blocking program we are using flashes a warning on the screen when an attempt is made to reach a blocked pornographic site. Exceptions may be made for health-care professionals who need specific access to some of these sites for purposes of research or treatment. For example, a clinical psychologist may need to review the types of sites a client has been viewing in order to know how best to help him or her.