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Online Youth Programs

The guidance below is intended to support CU Boulder units with developing and implementing virtual programming for youth participants (under age 18). Recommendations are offered as best practices and should not be construed as official university policy.

 

Guidance For Online Youth Programs

  1. Select Appropriate Technology
    1. In alignment with Children's Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA") regulations, parents should ultimately be in control over what information is collected from young children--particularly those under age 13--while online. Several popular social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, require that users be at least 13 years old in order to gain access to their services. Given the dynamic nature of the Internet, it is often difficult to determine which commercial websites and online services (including mobile apps) are directed at children. In many cases, while it may be acceptable to use tools like Facebook to promote your program or events to a general audience, it may not be appropriate to use the same service for delivery of programming to children and youth.
    2. It is recommended that all youth programs use university supported technology, such as Zoom, shared @colorado.edu email addresses, and program sponsored social media profiles.
    3. Make sure to always enable available security features.

 

  1. Technical Tips / Zoom Meeting Setup
    1. It is recommended that CU Boulder youth programs utilize the more restrictive Webinar platform when using Zoom. Webinars are designed so that only the host and designated presenters are able to share video and audio. Webinar attendees join in listen-only mode, and participant lists are only visible to the host or presenter(s).
    2. If the webinar service is not an option for your program, the following settings are recommended when using Zoom's standard Meetings service:
      1. Disable “Join Before Host” to ensure your youth participants cannot join the meeting until the adult host and moderator are present.
      2. Enable the Waiting Room feature, which prevents unwanted attendees from joining, and allows the program time to setup.
      3. Turn off (disable) participant recording.
      4. Turn off (disable) screen sharing and file sharing by participants.
      5. Disable participant-to-participant private chat using the “Everyone Publicly” setting.
      6. For more information about chat settings, visit https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/203650445-In-Meeting-Chat.

 

  1. Adopt Best Practice Standards for Online Communications with minors.
    1. Avoid one-on-one contact between adults and minors in video conferencing or email, text, chat, and other online communications.
      1. Suggestions for video conferencing:
        1. Include another Authorized Adult or multiple minor participants.
        2. Lead small group advising and tutoring instead of one-on-one.
        3. Reschedule or record the session if only one youth is available to participate.
      2. Suggestions for email, text, and chat communications:
        1. Email from the program’s service email. Avoid using your personal email account.
        2. Include a parent, Authorized Custodian, or group of youth in all email correspondence.
        3. Save email, chat, and text message strings.
        4. Limit contact with participants to reasonable program hours. Schedule emails sent outside of typical working or program hours to arrive during these hours.
      3. Suggestions for social media and gaming:
        1. Do not interact with program participants through personal accounts on social media platforms like Facebook, Discord, Reddit, Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat, and others.
          1. Deny requests from program participants to become friends on social media (personal accounts), and encourage them to follow program supported accounts.
        2. Do not interact with program participants through gaming platforms and games like Fortnite, Roblox, Xbox Live, Playstation, and others.
    2. Use of cell phones, cameras, imaging, or digital devices is limited to the purpose consistent with the program mission.
    3. Do not make sexual materials available (in any form) to minors or assist them in any way in gaining access to such materials.
    4. Do not use or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs during online interactions with minors.
    5. Do not engage in discrimination or harassment.
    6. Do not engage in verbal abuse toward or in the presence of a minor.
    7. Follow incident reporting requirements to report online behavioral issues, suspicion of child abuse or neglect, and violations of campus policies.

 

  1. Adopt Best Practice Standards for Running Virtual Youth Programs
    1. Design activities to eliminate private, unmonitored 1:1 interactions.
    2. Create and maintain an agenda outlining the programs schedule, including how to access content.
    3. Take attendance and only allow registered participants to participate.
    4. Only communicate through official Program platforms.
    5. Ensure that two or more Program staff are present for the duration of the program.
    6. Keep conversations and interactions focused on the program goals and objectives.
    7. Preserve Youth Privacy
      1. When inviting participants to online sessions, use blind copy (BCC) to avoid cross sharing everyone’s email address.
      2. Only display first name and last initial during sessions to protect participants’ identity.
      3. Promote the use of virtual backgrounds to allow for more privacy for staff and participants.
      4. Set defaults so all campers are on “mute,” with campers un-muted individually by the counselor when there are questions or discussion comments.

 

  1. Set Virtual Program Conduct Expectations for Youth Participants
    1. It is best practice to review virtual program conduct expectations for with participants at the start of programing.
    2. Participants at a minimum should:
      1. Participate in the virtual program to the same standard as in person programing.
      2. Not share links or passwords for the Program meetings or content.
      3. Mute when not talking.
      4. Dress appropriately when on video.
      5. Not take inappropriate screenshots or images.

 

  1. Engage with Parents
    1. Inform
      1. Educate parents about the technology you are using and how youth will interact with them, and encourage parents to discuss online safety with their children.
      2. Reiterate parents are responsible for monitoring their child’s time online and that program staff are not responsible for nor able to monitor this with distance learning.
      3. Consider sharing resources (such as those below) with families.
      4. Parents should understand that they are responsible for
        1. Ensuring participant is in an environment that meets the goals of the Program
        2. Ensuring participant logs in on time and is prepared
        3. Limiting distractions and keeping participant safe throughout the duration of the Program
        4. Allowing time for the participant to complete required assignments
        5. Working with Program staff to resolve issues that may arise
        6. Reporting illegal or inappropriate online behavior by staff or other program participants
    2. Get Consent
      1. Ensure you solicit consent for participation in online youth programing.
      2. Provide details about how, when and by what means youth will be interacting virtually with your program.
    3. Enlist parental supervision
      1. Suggest parents/guardians be present in the room with participants during online engagement or programming. This is especially important for camp sessions that require physical activity or the use of safety or other personal protective equipment (i.e. STEM-related activities).