YouTube:
• Our YouTube Channel was set up to show videos that help promote the benefits of peer mediation and conflict resolution for young people.
• YouTube is a very powerful way to share the positive work and ideas of young people, but it’s also important to look after yourselves – and look out for each other online, just as it is in any other public space. To help out with this, check out the following information before using the site:
YouTube membership age
• The minimum age for membership of YouTube is 16, and although you don’t have to be a member to view videos the site is intended to be used for people over 16. PeerLink videos will also be embedded in our video page (link) so we’d encourage all young people under 16 to view our videos through this page.
YouTube comments:
• At present our policy is to enable comments on uploaded videos, but these comments will go through moderation by a Leap Confronting Conflict member of staff before going live so that no inappropriate comments will appear online.
• We don’t currently allow Channel Comments, but this policy may be changed in future, in which case we’ll publish a separate set of guidelines/suggestions around this.
Consent
We have received signed consent forms from parents of young people under 18 to appear in our videos. People over 18 have provided their own signed consent.
Inappropriate content:
• YouTube is a well established social networking site and has processes in place to deal with inappropriate content. Inappropriate videos are flagged by viewers and flagged videos are either removed if considered completely inappropriate for the site or made unavailable for viewing by under 18s (and therefore only viewable to people who have registered for YouTube membership as being over 18). It’s important if you come across inappropriate content – for example, vedios depicting violence or bullying, that you report them to YouTube strait away so the videos and the people who have posted them can be delt with.
YouTube provide safety and contact information on here and we’d encourage you to make sure you understand it. The YouTube community guidelines also give a good overview of the responsibilities of people using the site. You can find them here.
Looking out for yourself and other people online:
As you know the internet is a great place for young people, with many things to see and do, and opportunities to create, collaborate, and chat. It’s important for everyone (not just young people!) to know about staying safe online, and where to report any problems that might arise. These sites will provide you with some very useful general online safety information:
And for advice around cyber-bullying issues we’d recommend that you follow this link to the Digizen website
Reporting of inappropriate incidents/content:
• As discussed, where YouTube is concerned any inappropriate content should be reported directly to them to ensure the material is removed.
• If you come across content that you think might be potentially illegal, you can report it directly to the Internet Watch Foundation . In the UK illegal content includes indecent images of children (i.e. pictures that appear to be of people under the age of 18), incitement to racial hatred, and criminally obscene content.
• The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, deals with online sexual abuse issues. If you feel that someone is pressurising you to meet up with them, asking you inappropriate question or talking to you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, you can get advice and report incidents to CEOP online here
• Of course, any life threatening or immediate safety risks should be reported to emergency services –call 999 or your local police.
Other help and advice
• Childline
• NSPCC
• Samaritans
