Child Safety

Last updated: January 16, 2025

At SnapTurtle, child safety is our top priority. We've designed our app with families in mind, implementing comprehensive safety measures both online and during outdoor adventures.

Our Safety Commitment

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Privacy First

No public profiles, no photo sharing, no personal information exposed

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Family Focused

Designed for supervised family adventures, not solo child use

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Nature Respect

Teaching responsible interaction with wildlife and environments

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Screen Balance

Encouraging outdoor exploration, not endless screen time

Digital Safety Features

Privacy Protection

No Public Profiles: Children cannot create public profiles or share personal information
Local Photo Storage: All photos are stored on the device, never uploaded to servers
No Social Features: No chat, messaging, or communication with strangers
Parental Controls: Parents can manage account settings and privacy preferences
COPPA Compliant: Full compliance with children's online privacy laws

Content Safety

Educational Focus: All content is educational and age-appropriate
No Advertising: No ads or commercial content targeting children
Positive Messaging: Promoting nature appreciation and family bonding
No In-App Purchases: No unexpected charges or purchase pressure

Physical Safety Guidelines

Adult Supervision

Children should always be accompanied by a responsible adult
Adults should review challenge locations before visiting
Parents/guardians are responsible for assessing safety conditions
Never leave children unattended while using the app outdoors

Location Safety

Public Spaces Only: Challenges are located in public parks and safe areas
Daylight Hours: Recommended use during daylight hours only
Weather Awareness: Check weather conditions before outdoor adventures
Path Safety: Stay on designated paths and trails
Emergency Preparedness: Carry emergency contacts and first aid supplies

Wildlife Safety

Observe Only: Never approach, touch, or feed wild animals
Respectful Distance: Maintain safe distances from all wildlife
No Disturbance: Don't disturb nests, dens, or animal habitats
Seasonal Awareness: Be extra cautious during animal breeding seasons
Local Guidelines: Follow specific park rules and wildlife protection measures

Age-Appropriate Features

Under 13 Years

Parental consent required for account creation
Enhanced privacy protections
Simplified interface with clear safety reminders
No location sharing or social features
Parent/guardian email required for important notifications

13-17 Years

Additional safety education and reminders
Parental notification of account activity
Emphasis on group activities and family participation
Clear guidelines about responsible outdoor behavior

Parental Controls

Parents and guardians have full control over their child's SnapTurtle experience:

Account Management: Create, modify, or delete child accounts
Location Settings: Control location access and sharing
Activity Monitoring: View child's progress and achievements
Time Limits: Set appropriate usage boundaries
Challenge Selection: Review and approve challenge locations
Data Access: Request or delete all child data at any time

Emergency Procedures

If You Encounter Danger

Immediate Safety: Move to a safe location immediately
Emergency Services: Call 999 (UK) or local emergency number
Adult Help: Alert nearby adults or park authorities
App Secondary: The app is never more important than personal safety

Reporting Safety Concerns

If you encounter safety issues related to SnapTurtle:

Immediate Concerns: safety@snapturtle.app
Location Issues: Report dangerous or inappropriate challenge locations
App Problems: Report technical issues that could affect safety
24/7 Response: We monitor safety reports around the clock

Educational Safety

SnapTurtle teaches children important safety lessons:

Nature Respect: How to interact responsibly with wildlife and environments
Risk Assessment: Age-appropriate awareness of outdoor hazards
Environmental Stewardship: Protecting nature for future generations
Digital Citizenship: Responsible use of technology and apps
Family Communication: Encouraging open dialogue about outdoor experiences

Third-Party Safety

We carefully vet all third-party services:

All partners must meet our strict child safety standards
No data sharing with marketing or advertising companies
Regular security audits of all integrated services
Transparent disclosure of any third-party data processing

Continuous Improvement

Child safety is an ongoing commitment:

Regular safety feature updates and improvements
Community feedback integration
Collaboration with child safety organizations
Staff training on child protection best practices
Transparent reporting of safety incidents and responses