For Parents
For Parents
Advice
As your kids navigate the digital world, you may find yourself curious about their activities and how you can best support them. Parenting and teaching in the social media age is tricky. You want kids to enjoy positive social interactions both online and offline, yet striking the right balance can be challenging.
This is precisely why we created Wizz as a space for authentic self-expression. It is NOT another place dedicated to the pursuit of followers or ‘likes.’ We built Wizz from the ground up to incorporate state-of-the-art technology to ensure a safe and positive experience for all users. We’re fully committed to supporting our users and their parents in every way possible.
We understand the importance of ensuring the highest level of safety for your children in the digital environment. As the premier online socializing platform for young people, we don’t take this responsibility lightly. There are three pillars that guide our strategy to making sure that Wizz remains a secure, uplifting, and welcoming space for users.
- Forward-Thinking Approach: We’ve integrated advanced safety features throughout Wizz, employing a mix of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human moderation.
- Collaborative efforts: We collaborate with a diverse array of entities, including governmental bodies and global organizations, to enhance digital safety and well-being.
- Committed Team: Our global team of safety and moderatoin experts is dedicated to ensuring Wizz remains a secure and nurturing environment. They diligently moderate content around the clock, stepping in whenever they observe users potentially endangering themselves or others.
Young people have been making new friends online for years. We designed Wizz to provide the safest online setting for them to do so.
In this section, we’ll dive into insights and advice on online safety, address common challenges encountered on social media, and outline our efforts to ensure a safe space exploration of Wizz for our users.
Inappropriate Language
Communication styles constantly evolve, and we recognize that distinguishing between harmless and potentially offensive or inappropriate words, phrases, and emojis can be challenging. Inappropriate language varies widely, including hate speech, profanities, and explicit content.
At Wizz, keeping pace with the latest online communication trends is standard practice. We continuously update and maintain a list of terms, phrases, and emojis that go against our Community Guidelines, ensuring their automatic removal from the platform.
Dear Parents,
- Encourage your teen to practice respect in their online interactions. Offensive language on Wizz can upset others and may also violate our Community Guidelines.
- Familiarize yourself with the slang used by young people on social media to better understand their conversations on platforms like Wizz.
- Report any offensive or inappropriate language on Wizz to we can investigate. We’ll take down any content that breaks our rules.
Dear Teens,
- Don’t forget, what you post online stays forever. Think carefully before using language that could be inappropriate.
- Consider how your words might impact others.
- Strive to understand the meanings behind the words you use, keeping in mind that many terms, especially explicit ones, often have negative connotations.
Hate speech
Hate speech involves derogatory or harmful language aimed at an individual or group based on characteristics like race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It can manifest as trolling, cyberbullying, or even threats.
Experiencing or witnessing hate speech can be distressing and confusing, particularly because these comments can rapidly intensify online.
Our platform enforces a zero tolerance rule on hate speech and discrimination. We’ve implemented various safety measures, such as image moderation and text analysis, to shield our users from hate speech. In instances where a crime may be involved, we collaborate closely with appropriate law enforcement bodies.
Dear Parents,
- Talk to your teen about valuing diversity and kindness in online interactions, referencing our Community Guidelines they agreed to upon joining Wizz.
- Urge them to be cautious and reflective before posting or sharing content (Could it be offensive or illegal?).
- Highlight Wizz’s safety features, like the options to ‘Block User’ and ‘Report User’ in profile settings, as ways to stay safe, you can also Report here.
- Emphasize the seriousness of hate speech, and hate crimes, and stress the importance of reporting incidents.
Dear Teens,
- If you encounter or witness hate speech, please Report it providing as much context as possible, like screenshots.
- Use Wizz’s safety features to control your interactions, including blocking users who make you uncomfortable.
- Consider the impact of your words on others. Would you appreciate being spoken to in the same manner?
- Be mindful that hate speech could be treated as a hate crime. Keep this in consideration when communicating on Wizz or elsewhere.
- Check out these Resources if you or someone you know is affected by hate speech.
Illegal content
Illegal content is strictly prohibited on Wizz, and is immediately removed upon detection. Please familiarize yourself with our policy on Hate Speech and review our Community Guidelines.
If we encounter content or behavior that breaches legal standards, we report it to the appropriate authorities for further examination.
Dear Parents,
- Engage in open discussions with your teen or students about content that may be damaging or unlawful.
- Urge them to inform you if they encounter any concerning content on Wizz.
- Highlight the importance of not spreading illegal content.
- Inform us about any harmful or potentially illegal content, so we can remove the content, suspend users, and/or file a report with the appropriate authorities.
Dear Teens,
- Educate yourself on what constitutes harmful or illegal content by consulting our Community Guidelines.
- Report any content that seems harmful or illegal, whether it targets you or others.
- If possible, discuss the situation with a trusted adult for support and guidance.
Bullying
Bullying, both in person and online, can be deeply distressing. On social media, it manifests in various ways, such as through mean-spirited comments or the unauthorized sharing of photos and videos.
Cyberbullying can be especially troubling for young individuals. We have zero tolerance for bullying on Wizz. Our Community Guidelines emphasize mutual respect among users and explicitly state our strict stance against acts of bullying, intimidation, threats, or harassment on our platform.
Our safety and moderation professionals vigilantly oversee Wizz activities around the clock. They issue warnings and take necessary measures when bullying is reported by our community or identified by our text and image moderation partners.
Dear Parents,
- Encourage your teens to practice kindness and empathy in their online interactions, reminding them to think before they speak and to support peers facing bullying.
- Let them know that being targeted by harassment or bullying is never their fault.
- Discuss the importance of using Wizz’s safety features, such as the ability to block and report individuals.
- Assure them they can always turn to you for help if they’re experiencing bullying, and you’ll be there to support them.
Dear Teens,
- Remember, you’re not to blame. Don’t let anyone else’s actions dictate your self-perception.
- Reach out to someone you trust. Sharing your experiences can make challenging times feel less isolating.
- Make the most of our safety features. Whether it’s blocking someone or reporting uncomfortable interactions, these safety tools are here for you.
- If you see someone else being bullied and feel safe to do so, stand up for them. Otherwise, report it for investigation and pursue necessary action to maintain our community’s safety.
- Check out these Resources for support if you or someone you know is dealing with bullying.
Peer Pressure
From harmless pranks to serious challenges that promote risky actions, such as bullying or engaging in dangerous viral dares, online peer pressure is a real concern.
Resisting these pressures isn’t always straightforward, but recognizing the potential consequences is crucial. Our Community Guidelines at Wizz specify that certain actions are unacceptable. Severe violations may lead to content removal and either temporary or permanent account suspension, based on the infraction’s gravity.
Dear Parents,
- Discuss the importance of making smart choices and resisting peer pressure on and offline with your teen.
- Stress that online actions, much like real-world actions, carry significant repercussions – what may seem like fun in the moment could adversely affect them and others in the near and distant future.
- Report any inappropriate behavior or content to the Wizz team for us to address.
Dear Teens,
- Know that it’s okay to say no. The pressure to “fit in” can be overwhelming, but it’s important to stay true to yourself and act the same online as you would in person.
- Realize that encouraging risky behavior in others can have lasting effects on their lives and yours.
- Report any questionable behavior to our safety and moderation professionals for review – screenshots and videos are helpful.
Check out this list of Resources for support if needed.
Mental health
Mental health is crucial, especially considering challenges like bullying, peer pressure, and the new hurdles brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which can significantly affect mental health.
Staying connected is immensely beneficial for mental health. At Wizz, we strive to foster an environment where users can forge meaningful friendships, feel a sense of belonging, and enjoy a safe space to socialize.
Dear Parents,
- Assure your teen or students that you’re available to support them, whether they wish to share concerns or need your backing.
- Encourage a healthy balance between online and offline life. Consider discussing the five pillars of mental health: connecting with others, staying active, learning new things daily, contributing to the community, and being mindful of the present.
Dear Teens,
- Open up to a trusted individual about your experiences and feelings, remembering that tough days are universal, and you’re not alone.
- There are numerous paths to achieving good mental health, like engaging with friends, staying active, learning daily, helping others, or focusing on the now. Discover what suits you best and try to weave it into your everyday life.
- Here’s a list of organizations ready to offer support when needed.
Catfishing and scams
Occasionally, individuals may impersonate others online, creating fake social media accounts and persuading users to divulge personal details. Experiences like catfishing and various online scams can be distressing and alarming, potentially leading to risks like identity theft.
To verify the authenticity of our users, we’ve implemented a comprehensive age verification across the platform, setting a precedent among major social networks. Users who fail to pass this verification will have their accounts deactivated, and, when necessary, we will report them to the appropriate authorities.
Dear Parents,
- Inform your teens that Wizz requires genuine details for profile creation and mandates age verification through Yoti. This policy helps us spot fake profiles and address other improper conduct more effectively.
- Emphasize the importance of skepticism towards profiles, pictures, and messages that seem unrealistically perfect. Scammers often try to craft an ideal image, so be cautious of overly polished photos, excessive compliments, and other red flags.
- Reassure your teen or students that it’s not their fault if they’re deceived by a fake profile; some scammers are highly persuasive.
- Report any suspicious profiles you encounter on Wizz to us for further investigation.
- If a young person worries their identity has been used for a fake profile on Wizz, please reach out here so we can eliminate it.
Dear Teens,
- Stay alert to profiles, pictures, and messages that appear too perfect. Scammers often strive for an ideal persona, so be wary of professional-looking photos, excessive praise, and questionable behavior – if something feels off, report the profile to us for a check-up.
- Avoid sharing personal identifiable information (PII), like your contact number or home address, with strangers online.
Sexual exploitation
Unfortunately, some individuals choose to target young people for the wrong reasons. They may set up fake profiles to start conversations to gain their trust. At Wizz, we understand the importance of our users knowing who they’re talking to and being able to trust the communities they build online. For this reason, we require all of our users to undergo age verification in order to use Wizz. This helps to prevent bad actors from joining the platform and pretending to be an age they’re not. We also have age gating in place to separate users into different communities based on age, so that we can prohibit interaction between teens and adults.
We have a zero tolerance policy for the sexual exploitation of young people and work closely with law enforcement agencies in the countries in which we operate to report every potential offender for further investigation.
Dear Parents,
- Remind your teen or students to be careful about what they share online (e.g. phone number, address, social media profiles, photos, videos).
- Explain why no one should pressure them into doing something they don’t want to do – even if it’s someone they know.
- Encourage them to trust their instincts about people they meet online and to recognize that if what someone says to them seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Look out for changes in your teen’s or students’ behavior. Are they increasingly secretive about the devices and apps they use? Do they go to their room as soon as they receive a message or get defensive when you ask them who they are talking to?
- If your teen or students feel uncomfortable about someone who has approached them on Wizz, report it to us immediately. We pass the details of any potential criminal activity to law enforcement and other agencies.
Dear Teens,
- Be careful when you share online, everything you post on the Internet can live forever – so think twice before giving someone personally identifiable information (such as your phone number or address) or sending pictures or videos to people you don’t know.
- Trust your instincts about people you meet online, if someone makes you feel uncomfortable or something doesn’t seem right – report it to us so we can investigate and take the appropriate action.
- Remember that we encourage you to “report” and “block” users that you feel suspicious about.
- Here’s a list of organizations that can help if you need support.
Nudity and sexting
Flirting and forming relationships are normal aspects of becoming an adult. Determining boundaries for sharing photos and exchanging messages can be challenging. The trend of celebrities sharing revealing photos and the growing presence of explicit content in the media can add to the confusion.
Some individuals might feel coerced into sending explicit images to partners, friends, or even strangers, while others might share this content of their own volition. In either circumstance, it is imperative to understand that these images can be shared without. permission. For people under 18, creating, disseminating, or holding these images is both unauthorized and illegal.
In order to protect all users of Wizz, we ban all content that contains nudity and prevent it before it can be sent. Our Community Guidelines explicitly prohibit these types of images on our platform, and we act swiftly to eliminate them as soon as they come to our attention.
Dear Parents,
- Urge your teen or students to pause and consider the implications before posting or sharing images on social media. Could their actions cause harm to themselves or others, or even be against the law?
- Discuss with them the risk of others (including trusted individuals like their boyfriend or girlfriend) potentially spreading their nude images online, and advise them on the steps to take if such a situation arises.
- Make it clear to your teen or students that creating, distributing, or holding explicit images of themselves or other minors could constitute a legal violation.
Dear Teens,
- Please think about the long-term consequences of sharing personal content on social media or with others. Are you comfortable with the idea of someone keeping a nude photo of you indefinitely?
- Be aware that anyone, even those you trust, might share the intimate images you share with them, either online or to other individuals.
- Recognize that it’s illegal to produce, circulate, or possess explicit images of yourself or other individuals under 18.
- If you’re aware of someone distributing images like these of yourself or others, please inform us immediately, by reporting it here.
Self-harm and suicide
Many individuals struggle with issues like depression and low self-esteem. Joining an online community can offer valuable support for those dealing with mental or emotional struggles, providing the opportunity to engage with others facing similar challenges who can empathize and alleviate feelings of isolation. This aspect is among the key advantages of online socialization. However, there can be a downside: in some situations, individuals might find themselves influenced by others to engage in destructive behaviors, such as self harm and suicide.
Dear Parents,
- Let your teen know you’re available to support them and assist in finding the help they need.
- Explore our Resources section for support organizations in your area, and consider sharing this information with your teen, reinforcing the message that they have a support network.
- Motivate them to be attentive to their friends who may be facing difficulties.
Dear Teens,
- Open up to a trusted individual about your experiences and emotions, and remember, you’re not alone—everyone goes through challenges.
- Visit our Resources page for help finding organizations ready to offer assistance and support during tough times.
- Be vigilant and supportive of peers who might also be experiencing difficulties, guiding them towards the help they need.
