Dear John: 

Browsing the Internet is not a near occasion of sin in-and-of-itself. However, if you browse websites that present you with a temptation to sin then you are flirting with the occasion. To innocently browse the Internet and happen to come across an immodest picture is not an occasion of sin, as such, because that's not what you are intending. To instantly close the window and not dwell on what you have seen is the proper approach. But, to linger on the site, even if found accidentally, is flirting with sin. If you browse websites where you have a pretty good notion that immodesty will be presented on that site then you are flirting with the occasional sin.

You need to be sure that you keep the safety option turned on in your browser that blocks out most improperly images.

As for blocking software there is no excuse to not use such software, or better yet, accountability software, because of money. I recommend Covenant Eyes, which costs around $9.00/month. There is no such thing as a person who can afford to be on the Internet not affording $9.00/month.

Covenant Eyes has blocking software but the better option is the accountability feature. This is where you find an accountability partner. That partner will receive reports of everywhere you have been on the Internet. If you have been somewhere you shouldn't have been your accountability partner can call you and ask about it. This is far, far more effective than blocking software. An added feature is that it is almost impossible to defeat the software. If you try without an uninstall code your hard drive can be trashed. An uninstall code is available any time you want it, but your accountability partner will get an email informing him that you received the uninstall code.

The bottomline is that we all need to be very circumspect about what images, music, books, movies, TV shows, or games we allow ourselves to be exposed to. The Bible tells us to guard our senses and that is exactly what we need to do even though in this current world is extremely difficult to do. But inasmuch as we have control over what we are exposed to we need to exercise that prudence.

We must all remember to take the advice of St. Paul:

Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:7-8)

St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Constitutions wisely teaches:

"All should take care to guard with great diligence the gates of their senses (especially the eyes, ears, and tongue) from all disorder, to preserve themselves in peace and true humility of their souls, and to give an indication of it by silence when it should be kept and, when they must speak, by the discretion and edification of their words, the modesty of their countenance, the maturity of their walk, and all their movements, without giving any sign of impatience or pride. In everything they should try and desire to give the advantage to the others, esteeming them all in their hearts as better than themselves [Phil 2:3] and showing exteriorly, in an unassuming and simple religious manner, the respect and reverence befitting each one’s state, in such a way that by observing one another they grow in devotion and praise God our Lord, whom each one should endeavor to recognize in his neighbor as in His image. . . . It will be very specially helpful to perform with all possible devotion the tasks in which humility and charity are practiced more; and, to speak in general, the more one binds himself to God our Lord and shows himself more generous toward his Divine Majesty, the more will he find God more generous toward himself and the more disposed will he be to receive graces and spiritual gifts which are greater each day".

To browse the Internet just for the heck out of it his rather dangerous. When one browses the Internet they should have a reason to browse, that is, they should have something specific in which they're looking for. In that way one is less likely to accidentally come upon something that will be a near occasion of sin for them. Loitering on the Internet, which is what indiscriminate browsing actually is, is really asking for trouble. So, when you browse the Internet do it for some specific reason, do it because you're looking for something specific. That is the best way to not get in trouble.

You need to be honest with yourself about what you're doing, about why you are browsing the Internet, or about anything else that you do in your life. You know what may be tempting to you. Thus, to avoid the near occasion of sin is to avoid those things that might tempt you. Do not fly to near to the sun, as it were.

Another way to state the phrase, "avoid the near occasion of sin" is "avoid anything that may tempt you or lead you to temptation."

The near occasion of sin does not involve immodest images alone. The near occasion of sin can be anything which might tempt you to sinful thoughts or behavior. For example, for some people reading the websites of schismatics, those Catholics who are no longer in communion with Rome, may tempt them to rebel against the Church. I have seen this happen. Thus, if one is tempted by these ultra-traditionalist groups who are no longer in communion with Rome, then one has a duty to avoid those websites.

If one has a problem with coveting other people's property then one ought to avoid browsing websites, or watching TV shows, that depict the houses and lifestyles of the rich and famous.

The point is that whatever may tempt you, regardless of what it is, not only needs to be in avoided itself, but anything that will gravitate you towards that near occasion (towards the temptation) ought to also be avoided.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary