Although Sconex is a website for high school students, we recognize that parents, teachers, and school administrators may wish to learn more about our website to make sure it’s appropriate for their children and students. The purpose of this document is to provide more information about Sconex and answer common questions that adults typically have about Sconex.

• What is the purpose of Sconex?
• How does Sconex restrict use to high school students?
• How does Sconex police inappropriate content?
• How does Sconex deal with cyberbullying?
• Who can see member information?
• How can I remove my child’s information from Sconex?
• From where does Sconex get school data?
• How can I find out more information?

Sconex’s goal is to provide a safe and fun online environment for students in which they can learn about their classmates and connect with other high school students throughout the country. Some of the many uses of Sconex include class message boards where students can discuss homework, groups that allow students to meet people at nearby schools in the same clubs, polls to determine the favorite movies at each school, and much more.

Potential Sconex members must successfully answer a set of security questions about their high school before they can complete registration. The questions are created by student volunteers, and are modified by the Sconex Operations Staff and students as the community grows. Ideal security questions are intended to be very difficult for a non-student to answer. Examples include:

• What color are the lockers on the 3rd floor?
• When are monthly announcements made?
• Which of the following is a freshman history teacher?

In addition, Sconex recruits student volunteers to serve as reps for their high school. These reps can challenge suspicious members to get them removed from the site. We also encourage all members to report people in their school that they don’t recognize to the Sconex Operations Staff for closer examination.

Although this system isn’t perfect, our belief is that it provides a much stronger level of security than other sites aimed at high school students.

Most of the content on Sconex’s website is created by its members. Although the vast majority of Sconex members abide by our usage policy, a small minority will post content that is inappropriate. We have developed many automated and manual processes for dealing with inappropriate content.

Sconex Operations Staff
Anywhere there is member generated content on Sconex, there’s also a link for other members to report whether the content is inappropriate. These member reports are forwarded directly to our Operations Staff which works seven days a week to review reports and take appropriate action on the reported content or member. Reporting is completely anonymous, and we strongly encourage all members to use these links without reservation to report any problems or questionable activity.

Automated Filters
We’ve developed and continue to develop proprietary technology to filter content posted by members. For example, postings that match certain criteria will automatically be flagged and sent to our operations staff to review before it is published on the site. In addition, if a member is removed for making an innapropriate posting on the site, all other content that the member has ever contributed is also removed. These are a few examples of our continued efforts to create automated ways to prevent inappropriate content.

Despite these processes, it is impossible for us to monitor all Sconex content and therefore we cannot be responsible for, nor completely guarantee the appropriateness of all member-posted content.

Cyberbullying is the term Sconex uses when a member or group of members misuses the website in order to intentionally hurt another person or group of people. Cyberbullying can take many forms. Examples include posting harassing comments about another member in a public message board, or creating a fake profile to embarrass a real person. Sconex takes cyberbullying seriously, and will cut off access of members found to be engaging in such acts. We recommend members use the “report” links mentioned above to notify the Sconex Operations Staff.

Additionally, if members receive harassing messages, they can prevent future ones from the same member by clicking on the “Block” link at the end of the message.

Sconex places default restrictions on who can see member content. Every Sconex member has the option to further strengthen their security settings beyond the default configuration by updating their privacy settings.

Sconex does not divulge individual member information to third-parties except in aggregate. (e.g. Sconex may tell an advertiser that 55% of its members are female but will not tell them the gender of a particular member.) However, members who follow an advertisement off of the Sconex website are subject to the information guidelines of the advertiser. For more information about how we treat private information, please see Sconex’s privacy policy.

There are two ways to remove information from your child’s account that you don’t wish to be displayed. The simplest is to log on to the Sconex site with your child, select the “edit” button next to any content provided by your child, and delete the information. You may also completely cancel your child’s account by going to the deactivation page.

Although basic data such as the name and location of all high schools on Sconex is assembled from publicly available information, almost all additional data is collected through the participation of Sconex members. If you are a representative of a school, and you feel that there is incorrect or copyrighted data that has been posted on the Sconex website, please contact us so that we can make the appropriate corrections.

Please look through these additional resources for more information about how we work to keep Sconex safe and enjoyable for everyone, and if you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us.

• Sconex Usage Policy
• Safety Tips For Members
• School Rep Program

If you are interested in general information about online safety for teens, these are a few popular websites that address this issue:

• Child Safety Network
• GetNetWise
• i-SAFE
• OnGuard Online
• stay safe
• Wired Safety