Safety Discussion: Bios - Offsite Contact
Hi everyone! 😊
Welcome to part two of a 3-part series of Safety Discussions on bios. The first part, about bio basics, can be found here
As mentioned in our earlier discussion on offsite contact, offsite contact - sharing of personal contact details, social media information, addresses etc. - is prohibited on 7 Cups.
That is because once a connection between two users moves off 7 Cups to either other sites or in-person, we can no longer protect you. You are on your own, and there is a high risk of dangerous situations, like bullying, stalking, harassment etc., to name just a few.
You may notice in 1-1 chats and rooms that the names of some popular social media sites are censored. This is done to minimize chances of offsite contact.
In this discussion, we will be focusing on the offsite contact within profile bios. There are some things which fall under the offsite contact category, which cannot be included in our bios.
Putting any identifying information in your bio
Example: full name, university name, company name, town/city name
The same applies to contact information too
Example: phone number, home address, email address, social media profile links, links to personal websites
Social media invite links
Example: invite links to group chat on a messaging app, links to video/audio chat
Links advertising products/services or spam links (more about it in next discussion)
Links for monetary transactions. Read more here
Finally, for listeners who have been using tools like YouCanBookMe, to allow members to book scheduled chats, kindly note that use of YouCanBookMe has been discontinued recently, as they now mandatorily require exchanging email addresses, which is against guidelines for confidentiality. More about it here
This time, instead of usual questions, I’ve created a short and easy quiz for you to test your knowledge on offsite contact and what to do if you spot links related to offsite in bios!
I encourage you to take the quiz here
Do share your score here in this thread and also tag a few of your 7 Cups friends to take the quiz!
Our Ambassador @Rebakah has also written about their experiences with offsite contact. You can read more about it here
If you have spotted a profile that needs to be flagged, feel free to message one of the Safety Patrol members with the username here
For any queries on Safety (flagging/outreaching/discussions), you’re welcome to message tommy or Rebekah!
Resources for further reading 👇:
Permission Clarifications for Leaders: Offsite Tools - Permission Clarification for Leaders
Teen Safety tips: Internet Safety Tips for Teens
Staying safe on Internet as a Listener: Internet Safety - Your Role as a 7 Cups Listener
Update about YouCanBookMe: Discontinuing YouCanBookMe
(all text in blue are clickable)
@AuRewolf yay! just completed the quiz
i scored 9/10 :3
@KateDoskocilova
Yay, 9/10 is awesome!
Tagging the Safety Team!
@EvelyneRose @Rebekah @tommy @positivePumpkin22 @AuRewolf @KristenHR @KindnessMatters2020 @LightsFromDark @iPHOENIX @EmotionsListener @Dystopiatae95 @blissart @LittleBirdie30 @SolaceCares @SirenOfSerenity @Lou73 @Jenna @MistyMagic @fruityPond7887 @Hamstermum @MelodyoftheOcean @AffyAvo @Sunisshiningandsoareyou @kindheartedlily @florablossom3319 @blissfulSky8162 @sereneMirage8103 @courageousDreamer8927 @Jiminycricket91 @kyan1 @Raspberrycheesecake @MattForHelp @radiantLight33 @TabbyCat97 @LandOfHopesx3 @Daf8 @Optimisticempath @coco128 @jundaee @pandanfe @Artalistens @Bunnylovesyou @WatermelonLover22 @Suryansh @SparkyGizmo @rubyjane00 @niamh333 @lovelyApple6441 @LOOPHOLE @azuladragon34 @Rui00 @Ralien @fantasticJet1739 @Grace3012 @Mahad2804 @HachiBee @LoveMyMoonflowers @OllieRNLI999 @sweetmikayla @DanCat1128
@AuRewolf
Thank you for putting this together, so many wonderful extra-resources linked here as well.❤
Ooh and great quiz, scored 10/10.
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Sun ☀️
You're welcome! And awesome score!
@AuRewolf
hehehe 10/10 XD
And thank you for making safety rules fun to remember through challenges...
@pandanfe
My pleasure, and thanks for taking the quiz 😊
Excellent quiz and a good reminder of what we should and shouldn't be doing to keep ourselves safe on 7 cups.
@Hamstermum
Agreed with you, Hamstermum!
@AuRewolf
this is awesome :3 i got an 8/10
@LoveMyMoonflowers
8/10 is a nice score, Ni! Thanks for taking the quiz!
10/10
Woohoo 10/10 😎
Not taking the quiz for privacy reasons.
Are you 100% sure about the mandatory email address? A listener I know has tested it, and it's incorrect.
(haven't tested myself, but they seem competent)
@cloudySummer
If you are talking about mandatory email address for the quiz, then it doesn't collect email addresses. I've made sure of that.
It's understandable if you don't wish to take the quiz :)
@AuRewolf No, I'm talking about item 6:
"Finally, for listeners who have been using tools like YouCanBookMe, to allow members to book scheduled chats, kindly note that use of YouCanBookMe has been discontinued recently, as they now mandatorily require exchanging email addresses, which is against guidelines for confidentiality. More about it here"
It is possible that that is wrong information, as an email address does *NOT* seem to be required.
@cloudySummer
I see. I haven't tested it either. Tagging @Heather225 for clarification 😊
@AuRewolf
@cloudySummer
For long-standing users of YCBM email is not required, but for all new signups email is now required, so that's what was creating the confusion. We decided for the safety of everyone to discontinue use of it.
@Heather225 So, members contacting new listeners need to leave an email address, and members connecting people who are on the platform for a long time already don't need to do that?
Because I have never used YCBM before, and I was just able to book an appointment with my listener without giving an email address.
Maybe it's a setting?
@AuRewolf
10/10 (:
