Child Safety Policy

Effective Date: August 30, 2026

Age Requirements and Verification

Adults Only: Echoes from the Ether is exclusively for users 18 years of age and older.

Age Verification: Users confirm they are 18+ by checking a verification box during registration. By checking this box, users legally affirm they meet our age requirement.

User Responsibility: We rely on users to honestly represent their age. Providing false age information violates our Terms of Service.

Platform Design for Child Safety

Inherent Safety Features

Our platform design naturally discourages minor participation:

  • Anonymous Nature: No profiles or identity features that typically appeal to younger users
  • Therapeutic Focus: Content designed for adult emotional processing and life experiences
  • Mature Themes: Discussions often involve adult life situations, relationships, career stress, and complex emotional experiences
  • 24-Hour Content Cycle: Ephemeral content model differs from typical social media engagement patterns

App Store Protections

  • 17+ Rating: Listed as 17+ on iOS App Store and Mature on Google Play Store
  • Content Warnings: Clear descriptions indicating mature emotional content
  • Category Placement: Listed in Health/Wellness categories typically used by adults

Content Moderation

Community Standards

While we serve adults, we maintain standards that protect against harmful content:

  • No Content Involving Minors: Strictly prohibited regardless of context
  • No Personal Information Sharing: Prevents any potential contact or identification
  • No Meetup Coordination: No content facilitating in-person meetings
  • Crisis Support Focus: Content encouraging professional help rather than peer advice for serious issues

Automated Content Filtering

  • Keyword Detection: Screening for language suggesting underage users or inappropriate content involving minors
  • Crisis Content Detection: Identifying posts needing immediate mental health resources
  • Harmful Content Removal: Automatic filtering of content promoting dangerous behaviors

Community Reporting

User Reporting System

Report concerning content by:

  • Tapping and holding any Echo to access reporting options
  • Selecting appropriate reason for report
  • Submitting anonymous report for immediate review

Report categories include:

  • Suspected underage user
  • Content involving minors inappropriately
  • Crisis/self-harm content
  • Harassment or abuse
  • Spam or inappropriate content

Response Process

  1. Immediate Review: All reports reviewed within 24 hours
  2. Content Removal: Violating content removed immediately
  3. Account Action: Serious violations result in permanent IP blocking
  4. Crisis Intervention: Mental health resources provided for concerning content
  5. Law Enforcement: Illegal content reported to appropriate authorities

Legal Compliance and Liability

Terms of Service Protection

  • Clear Age Requirements: Explicitly stated 18+ requirement in Terms of Service
  • False Information Consequences: Age misrepresentation constitutes Terms violation
  • Limited Liability: Users assume responsibility for honest age verification
  • Platform Good Faith: Reasonable reliance on user-provided age information

Regulatory Compliance

  • Industry Standards: Following established practices for age-gated platforms
  • Safe Harbor Provisions: Compliance with applicable safe harbor protections
  • Mandatory Reporting: Reporting suspected illegal content involving minors to NCMEC and law enforcement
  • Data Protection: No collection of data that could identify minors

Ongoing Safety Measures

Behavioral Monitoring

While respecting anonymity, we monitor for patterns suggesting:

  • Language consistent with underage users
  • References to school, parents, or minor-specific situations
  • Behavioral patterns typical of younger demographics
  • Content inconsistent with adult life experiences

Community Education

  • Clear Expectations: Regular reminders about platform purpose and audience
  • Safety Awareness: Information about reporting concerning content
  • Mental Health Resources: Emphasis on professional help for serious issues
  • Anonymous Nature Protection: Education about maintaining healthy anonymity

Crisis Intervention

Mental Health Support

When concerning content is detected:

  1. Immediate Resources: Display crisis hotlines and professional support options
  2. Age-Appropriate Resources: Adult-focused mental health services
  3. Professional Emphasis: Encouraging therapy and counseling over peer support for serious issues
  4. Follow-up Resources: Continued access to mental health information

Crisis Resources

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
  • RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Platform Limitations and User Responsibility

What We Cannot Control

  • Honest Age Reporting: We rely on users to truthfully report their age
  • Device Access: Parents/guardians are responsible for monitoring device usage
  • Off-Platform Behavior: We cannot control user actions outside our app
  • Technical Circumvention: Determined users may bypass standard protections

User Responsibilities

All users must:

  • Provide truthful age information during registration
  • Use the platform appropriately for its intended adult audience
  • Report concerning content immediately
  • Seek professional help for serious mental health concerns
  • Respect the anonymous, therapeutic nature of the community

Contact and Support

Safety Team Contact

Response Times

  • Crisis Content: Immediate automated response with resources
  • Safety Reports: Reviewed within 24 hours
  • Policy Questions: Response within 48 hours
  • General Inquiries: Response within 72 hours