Safety on the Web

BlockSavvy is a place where you can express yourself and keep in touch with your friends.  We want to remind you that it is also a public space so here's some advice so you don't humiliate yourself or put yourself or someone in danger.  By working together, understanding the risks, and knowing how to protect yourself, you can make the online experience more enjoyable and decrease danger.

Parents - Communicate with your kids about safety on the Web and participating in online communities.  You must be at least 14 years old to join BlockSavvy - anyone that is younger than 14 or suspected of lying about their true age will have their account suspended and removed from BlockSavvy.

1. BlockSavvy is a PUBLIC SPACE - Don't reveal ANYTHING you don't want the world to know about you - i.e. your phone number, home address, screenname, etc.  Also, don't post anything that might embarrass you - i.e. something you wouldn't want your parents or your boss to see.  You can also use our privacy settings to keep information discrete and only available to your closest friends and family members.
2. Report any harassment, hate speech, or inappropriate content - If you feel that someone's behavior is inappropriate, let us know.  Use the MESSAGE ADMIN button under your Tools in edit mode to send us a note and we'll look into it. 
3. If you think someone is tampering with your account, let us know - Use the MESSAGE ADMIN button under your Tools in edit mode to send us a note.
4. Don't mislead other people and lie about your age - If we suspect that you are lying about your age, we will suspend and remove your account.
5. People are not always who they seem to be - You'll meet tons of residents on BlockSavvy, but sometimes that's not always the case.  Don't meet up with someone in person that you don't know.  If you must, bring a friend or a family member. 
6. Clean Up after using shared computers - If you share a computer, whether it's in a public or private setting, make sure to sign out when not using your account. You should also learn how to "clear the cache," if you use the computer to browse the Internet. Remember that using a shared computer is always riskier than using a computer to which you are the only person with access.
7. Be suspicious - Anyone, anywhere in the world, can register for an ISP account, and Internet email protocols allow anyone to send a message that appears to be from any other person. Don't assume an email from "Mom" or "Uncle Dave" was actually sent from someone you know, and don't assume that an unsolicited message from user@yahoo-inc.com was really sent by that account.
8. Scams abound - Scams are a popular way of getting your personal information. The most common scams are fake login pages and forged emails that ask for your password, credit card number, or other sensitive information. Ignore or report anything you see that strikes you as questionable or suspicious.

We Got Your Back

Here are some of our features and policies to help keep you safe and secure on BlockSavvy - we're constantly working on newer and more effective features to help you have a safe and enjoyable online experience:

-         Individual Privacy Settings and User Choice:  When editing your profile, you can choose to keep personal information (i.e. phone numbers, home address, screennames, etc.) private by using the drop-downs.  If you wish, you can allow certain members like you neighbors to see your personal information.  

-         Ignore Button:  If someone is harassing you, you can use the Ignore function to avoid them.  When you trigger it, the person you ignore cannot access any part of your profile except the room.  Ignored users show up under the NEIGHBORS menu when you edit your profile.