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The Ichud HaKehillos LeTohar HaMachane anti-Internet rally is coming up in a few weeks, on May 20, 2012. What do contemporary halakhic authorities say about the permissibility or prohibition of using the Internet? Obviously it seems like some forbid and some permit. What are the different reasons for and against prohibiting it?

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Ironic considering the location of this question. – Shmuel Brin Apr 29 '12 at 20:30
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your question is on the internet – Shmuel Brin Apr 29 '12 at 20:34
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for example, this quote is on the internet – Shmuel Brin Apr 29 '12 at 20:35
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When I click on the link provided in the original question, I get a Google page full of links. Can you specifiy one particular link, please? Your question is still not clear to me. Why, EXACTLY, would the internet be forbidden? Please be specific. – Shemmy Apr 29 '12 at 21:04
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@ShmuelBrin - If things like Internet and TV are forbidden except for people who aren't religious yet, then why isn't it considered lifnei iver for websites such as chabad.com or aish.com to exist? – Adam Mosheh Apr 30 '12 at 4:41
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To the best of my understanding, based on discussions with my Rav, no one says the internet is Assur. The Rabbonim feel that unchecked internet has been and continues to lead to moral decay. The gathering is to discuss how to limit its use only for necessary needs, in a way that is permitted.

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If you can provide more information about where your understanding of this position comes from, it would increase the value of your answer. – Isaac Moses Apr 30 '12 at 16:55
Opening one's mailbox or answering the telephone can also lead to moral decay if one is not careful. – Adam Mosheh Apr 30 '12 at 20:27
Virtually everything can lead to moral decay. These days, even going outside in an urban area can lead to moral decay. The point here is that just like when we conduct our lives in the outside world, we take certain precautions when it comes to morality (e.g. sh'miras einayim, yichud), the same is true when it comes to the cyber-world. The parallels are essentially the same. But no one will tell you that you cannot connect to the internet at all, and if they do, they will likely also tell you that it is assur to go out into the city. – jake Apr 30 '12 at 21:17
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@AdamMosheh, This is not the place to talk about Shir Hashirim, but just pointing out that "p'shuto shel mikra" does not mean literalism, rather it means the primary contextual intention of the text. There is no doubt to anyone that the primary intention of Shir Hashirim is not a carnal tale. I'm not defending Artscroll though. I'm not sure if I were producing an English Tanach that I would translate an entire sefer non-literally and then advertise it as a translation. – jake May 1 '12 at 6:28
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@AdamMosheh, My point exactly. – jake May 1 '12 at 16:21
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