Parental Consent and Youth Policy

This Parental Consent and Youth Policy governs the use of the Shoutout mobile application by minors and users under the age of legal majority. This Policy forms an integral part of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

By permitting a minor to access or use Shoutout, the parent or legal guardian ("Parent") expressly agrees to this Policy and assumes full responsibility for ensuring the minor's safe and compliant use of the App.

1. Age Eligibility and Requirements

1.1 Age Restrictions

• Minimum Age: 14 years old (strictly enforced)
• Minor Users: Ages 14-17 require verifiable parental consent
• Adult Users: Ages 18+ (separate user pool)
• Prohibited: Users under 14 cannot access the App under any circumstances

1.2 Legal Compliance

This policy complies with:

• GDPR Article 8: Processing of children's data (EU)
• COPPA: Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (US)
• Austrian Data Protection Act
• Other applicable child protection laws

1.3 Age Verification Process

• Mandatory AI Verification: Yoti Face Scan for all users
• Identity Confirmation: Optional government ID upload
• Continuous Monitoring: Ongoing verification to prevent circumvention
• Zero Tolerance: Immediate ban for age misrepresentation

2. Parental Consent Process

2.1 Consent Requirements

Before a minor (14-17) can use Shoutout, parents must provide verifiable consent through one or more of these methods:

Primary Methods:

• Digital consent form with identity verification
• Email confirmation with follow-up verification call
• Submission of government-issued ID alongside consent form

Additional Verification (If Required):

• Video call verification with parent/guardian
• Notarized consent document
• Other legally recognized verification methods

2.2 Consent Information Provided to Parents

Parents receive comprehensive information about:

• App Functionality: How Shoutout works and its features
• Data Collection: What data is collected from their child
• Safety Features: Built-in protections and parental controls
• Risks and Responsibilities: Potential risks and parental obligations
• Contact Information: How to reach us with concerns

2.3 Withdrawal of Consent

Parents can withdraw consent at any time by:

• Contacting us via email or phone
• Using the parental control portal (when available)
• Requesting immediate account termination

Effect of Withdrawal:

• Immediate suspension of the minor's account
• Deletion of the minor's data within 30 days
• No further data collection or processing

3. Enhanced Safety Features for Minors

3.1 Age Separation Technology

• Strict Segregation: Minors (under 18) and adults (18+) cannot see or contact each other
• Automatic Enforcement: System-level separation, not user-controlled
• Regular Auditing: Continuous monitoring to ensure separation integrity
• Zero Cross-Contact: No exceptions or override capabilities

3.2 Location Privacy Protection

• Randomized Location: Position shown within 200-meter radius only
• No Precise Coordinates: Exact location never disclosed
• Privacy by Design: Location masking built into core functionality
• Real-Time Processing: No long-term location data storage

3.3 Communication Safeguards

• Limited Daily Requests: Restricted number of new connection attempts
• Mutual Consent Required: Both users must agree to communicate
• Enhanced Moderation: Stricter content filtering for minor accounts
• Real-Time Monitoring: AI-powered chat monitoring for safety

3.4 Content Protection

• AI Content Filtering: Advanced NSFW and inappropriate content detection
• Proactive Blocking: Content blocked before reaching users
• Continuous Learning: AI systems updated to catch new threats
• Human Review: Escalation to human moderators when needed

4. Parental Rights and Controls

4.1 Data Access Rights

Parents can request:

• Complete Data Report: All data collected about their child
• Activity Summary: Overview of their child's app usage
• Communication Log: Summary of contacts and interactions (privacy-balanced)
• Safety Reports: Any incidents or reports involving their child

4.2 Data Control Rights

Parents can:

• Correct Information: Update incorrect data about their child
• Delete Data: Request complete data deletion
• Restrict Processing: Limit how their child's data is used
• Export Data: Receive data in portable format

4.3 Account Control Options

Parents can:

• Monitor Usage: Request usage reports and activity summaries
• Set Restrictions: Request additional limitations on their child's account
• Suspend Account: Temporarily deactivate their child's account
• Terminate Account: Permanently delete their child's account

4.4 Communication with Parents

We provide:

• Regular Updates: Periodic reports on safety features and policy changes
• Incident Notifications: Immediate alerts for serious safety concerns
• Direct Support: Dedicated parental support contact
• Educational Resources: Guidance on digital safety and supervision

5. Parental Responsibilities and Obligations

5.1 Supervision Requirements

Parents must:

• Actively Monitor: Regularly check their child's app usage and interactions
• Provide Guidance: Educate their child about online safety and appropriate behavior
• Report Concerns: Immediately report any safety issues or inappropriate behavior
• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with app features and safety measures

5.2 Legal Responsibility

Parents acknowledge and accept:

• Full Liability: Complete responsibility for their child's actions on the App
• Compliance Obligation: Ensuring their child follows Terms of Service
• Financial Responsibility: Any costs or damages resulting from child's misuse
• Legal Consequences: Potential legal action for serious violations

5.3 Technical Supervision

Parents should:

• Review Settings: Regularly check their child's privacy and safety settings
• Monitor Contacts: Be aware of who their child is communicating with
• Check Content: Periodically review their child's profile and posts
• Report Misuse: Immediately report any concerning behavior or content

6. Special Protections for Minor Users

6.1 Data Minimization

For minor users, we:

• Collect Less Data: Only essential information for core functionality
• Shorter Retention: Reduced data retention periods
• Enhanced Security: Additional encryption and access controls
• Regular Deletion: Automatic purging of unnecessary data

6.2 Feature Limitations

Minor accounts may have:

• Reduced Discovery: Limited visibility to other users
• Communication Limits: Fewer daily connection requests
• Content Restrictions: Stricter content sharing limitations
• Premium Restrictions: Limited access to premium features without parental approval

6.3 Additional Monitoring

Minor accounts receive:

• Enhanced Moderation: More frequent content and behavior review
• Proactive Safety Checks: Regular safety and wellness monitoring
• Priority Support: Faster response to safety concerns
• Educational Prompts: Regular safety and digital citizenship reminders

7. Educational Resources and Support

7.1 For Parents

We provide:

• Safety Guides: Comprehensive digital safety resources
• Best Practices: Guidelines for supervising teen social media use
• Warning Signs: How to identify potential online risks
• Support Resources: Mental health and safety support contacts

7.2 For Young Users

We offer:

• Digital Citizenship: Education on responsible online behavior
• Safety Training: In-app tutorials on safety features and reporting
• Wellness Resources: Mental health and wellbeing support information
• Peer Education: Safe interaction guidelines and best practices

8. Incident Response and Support

8.1 Emergency Situations

For immediate safety concerns:

• 24/7 Reporting: Always-available emergency reporting system
• Rapid Response: Immediate action on serious safety threats
• Authority Cooperation: Collaboration with law enforcement when necessary
• Parent Notification: Immediate contact with parents for serious incidents

8.2 Regular Support

We provide:

• Dedicated Support: Specialized support team for minor user issues
• Parent Hotline: Direct contact for parental concerns
• Educational Workshops: Regular safety and digital literacy sessions
• Community Resources: Connection to local safety and support organizations

9. Legal Compliance and Oversight

9.1 Regulatory Compliance

This policy ensures compliance with:

• GDPR: EU data protection requirements for children
• COPPA: US children's privacy protection standards
• National Laws: Local child protection and privacy laws
• Industry Standards: Best practices for youth-focused platforms

9.2 Regular Auditing

We conduct:

• Safety Audits: Regular review of safety features and effectiveness
• Policy Reviews: Periodic updates to reflect new risks and regulations
• Technical Assessments: Ongoing evaluation of age separation and content filtering
• External Audits: Independent verification of safety measures

10. Policy Updates and Changes

10.1 Notification Process

For policy changes affecting minors:

• Advance Notice: 30 days minimum notice to parents
• Clear Communication: Plain language explanation of changes
• Consent Renewal: Re-confirmation of consent for material changes
• Opt-Out Option: Ability to withdraw consent before changes take effect

10.2 Emergency Updates

For urgent safety updates:

• Immediate Implementation: Instant deployment of critical safety measures
• Rapid Communication: Immediate notification to parents
• Follow-Up Explanation: Detailed explanation within 48 hours
• Consent Confirmation: Verification of continued consent post-implementation

11. Contact Information

11.1 Parental Support

Primary Contact:

• Email: [Parental support email]
• Phone: [Support phone number]
• Response Time: Within 24 hours for safety concerns

11.2 Emergency Contact

For Urgent Safety Issues:

• Emergency Email: [Emergency contact email]
• Response Time: Within 2 hours, 24/7

11.3 Legal and Compliance

For Legal or Compliance Issues:

• Legal Email: [Legal contact email]
• Data Protection Officer: [DPO contact email]