Content Guidelines

Content Guidelines: For Parents & Learners

Last updated on: April 1st, 2024

At Coral Academy, our priority is to create a safe, inclusive and respectful learning space for all students. We encourage expression through words, images, videos, and actions. To maintain this safe environment, our team may intervene to moderate content or messages that go against our community standards. Your cooperation ensures a fun and comfortable experience for everyone.

We believe in good intentions but if learners unintentionally break rules, we guide them rather than punish. We review content with discretion, aiming to educate parents & learners. To educate, we email families when an issue arises, asking them to review rules with their learner. We hope learners commit to following our standards.

For serious or repeated issues, Coral Academy may take actions like suspension, termination, or involving law enforcement. We'll always inform families before any account suspension or termination. We address matters in a manner that is suitable and considerate of the age group involved.

Check out our Code of Conduct Policy for more info.

DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATION:

Wherever used in this document, and except as otherwise defined herein, terms defined in any other part of the document shall have the meaning ascribed to them therein. The following are the definitions of the terms:

1. “diversity or diverse” shall mean: The inclusion of individuals from various backgrounds, which include race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, gender identity, and social class.

2. “secular” shall mean: We are neutral or unbiased towards any particular religious or ideological belief. We avoid promoting specific religions or personal beliefs.

3. “inclusivity or inclusive” shall mean: We consider a global audience and our classes welcome interested learners aged 3 to 18 years. We believe in inclusivity of gender identity and refrain from using exclusionary language. We establish guidelines to protect learners and avoid portraying superiority or oppression.

4. “age-appropriate content” shall mean: We include Parental Guidance (PG) statements for sensitive or potentially upsetting content in our class descriptions, as required.

What is "Problem Content"?

We recognize that families hold varying viewpoints on what is suitable for their children. To foster an inclusive learning environment and ensure fairness on our platform, where children of diverse ages and backgrounds come together, we thoughtfully select words, actions, and behaviors that cater to everyone while respecting privacy.

To achieve this, we have established clear and stringent standards. Here are examples of content that is considered problematic:

1. Bullying or Harassment: Avoid saying things that could hurt or be disrespectful to other learners, teachers, or even yourself, especially when joking. Sometimes, jokes can be misunderstood, so let's keep our language friendly and positive.

2. Hate Speech/Non-Inclusive Language: Don't use words that are considered slurs or treat others unfairly, insult, or leave out a person or a group. Let's choose words that are fair and include everyone.

3. Swear Words: Refrain from using words or expressions identified by reputable dictionaries and other platforms as rude, offensive, or vulgar. This includes direct substitutes for such words (e.g., frick). While we acknowledge diverse family perspectives on acceptability, our platform is tailored for minors, and we strive to maintain a comfortable and family-friendly environment in our classrooms by not permitting the use of these words.

4. Threats/Intentions to Harm: Coral Academy strictly prohibits any form of threats, including those expressing intentions to harm, visit someone's home, locate individuals online, or gather personal details. Additionally, the display, use, or carrying of weapons on camera in the class by parents or their children is strictly prohibited. We take safety and legal considerations seriously, and any violation of these rules may result in appropriate actions being taken.

5. Cheating/Hindering Learning: Users are expected to maintain integrity and should not use the service for cheating or hindering learning processes.

6. Inappropriate Sexual Language: While discussions about personal identity are welcome, explicit discussions about specific sexual acts are not allowed. Exceptions may be made for appropriate sexual education discussions aligned with the class's Parental Guidance statement.

7. Revealing Your Identity: Safeguard your personal identifiable information (PII) and avoid sharing the following details with others on the platform:

   1. Personal Contact Information - emails, phone numbers, etc.

   2. Identifying Information - full names, birthdays, etc.

   3. Social Media Handles - YouTube channels, Instagram accounts, etc.

   4. Location-Specific Information - cities, neighborhoods, etc.

   5. Gaming Handles - Sharing gaming handles is acceptable when privately sent to educators, as explicitly requested in a class description for the specific purpose of the gaming class.

8. Invading Others’ Privacy: Do not invade the privacy of individuals, including posting private information without proper consent. Avoid using someone else's identifiable information to impersonate them, and do not disclose private details without consent.

9. Providing inaccurate information: Do not post false, inaccurate, misleading, defamatory, or libelous information, including personal data.

10. Disclosing sexual orientation using any form of media: Coral Academy is a gender-neutral platform that values and respects all genders and sexual orientations.

    1. While learners are always free to express themselves and discuss their own identity, disclosing one's sexual orientation using any form of media on the platform is not permitted.

    2. While we encourage self-expression, the use of any form of media to promote one’s political/personal agenda is prohibited.

11. Sharing of inappropriate user-generated content: Refrain from sharing any content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, offensive, obscene, pornographic, lewd, lascivious, nudity or objectionable, as determined by Coral Academy

    1. Screen sharing any obscene or unlawful content involving nudity or inappropriate visuals is strictly prohibited.

    2. Avoid displaying immodest backgrounds or wallpapers containing nudity or inappropriate photos on camera.

    3. Additionally, using inappropriate props related to sexual substances or nudity on camera is strictly prohibited.

12. Posting Hateful/Racially/Ethnically objectionable content: Users are expected to promote positive content & are prohibited to post any hateful/racially/ethnically objectionable user-generated content.

13. Adapting/Altering the service for commercial use: Users are expected to use the service appropriately. Do not adapt, alter, license, sublicense, or translate the service for personal or commercial use.

14. Infringing others’ copyright: Respect intellectual property and do not post user-generated content that infringes on another's copyright, trademark, or trade secret

For more details on actions that are considered violations and lead to consequences, please refer to our guide titled "Indicators of Acceptable and Unacceptable Behavior" provided below.

“Indicators of Acceptable & Unacceptable Behavior” Guide:

1. Green Flag = Acceptable

2. Yellow Flag = Exercise Caution

   1. Minimal to Moderate Breach

   2. This may cause harm or offense. Please be mindful of your language and behavior.

   3. Outcome: Our team might delete this content and send a cautionary email.

3. Red Flag = Unacceptable

   1. Crossing this line is strictly forbidden as it is deemed a serious violation.

   2. Seriousness: Our team will eliminate this content, provide a warning, may implement disciplinary measures, and might notify Law Enforcement.

Color code	Respect	Safety	Kindness
Green Flag	Uplifting language Safe words	First name Favorites: foods, colors, TV shows, authors, animals, etc. Hobbies Country, region, time zone Grade Types of pets Be yourself - share who you are	Kind words Welcome words Inclusive words Compliments and praise Using others’ preferred name and pronouns Embrace differences Tolerant
Yellow Flag	Distasteful slang words Bathroom or potty language	City, State Birthday	Demeaning words and language Calling people names Belittling words Jokes making fun of others Potty language Slang
Red Flag	Inappropriate references to violence, weapons, or killing Threats or harassment towards others Bullying Pictures or depictions of others without their permission Immodest photos or video Nudity or uncovered body parts Sexual innuendo Sexting	Full name Address Email Gaming handles Social media or posting of websites School name Unauthorized pictures of others	Racist language Sexist or gender discrimination; sexual innuendo Profanity Religious knocks or blasphemy Derogatory comments about any protected class of people Bullying

Coral Academy reserves the right to moderate content during class, granting teachers/hosts the authority to:

1. Turning Off the Learner’s Video: In cases of unacceptable behavior i.e. any activities highlighted in red in the table above or outlined as problematic content , the learner's video will be turned off by us.

2. Muting Learner's Audio: To maintain a quiet and respectful learning atmosphere, the learner's audio will be muted in the following cases:

   1. Background Noise: Loud noise, cussing, or yelling.

   2. Private Conversations: Accidentally heard talks.

   3. ‘Red Flag’ Instances: As Highlighted in the table above as unacceptable behavior or outlined as problematic content

   4. Other Disturbances: Any disruptive background noise.

3. Disabling Chat: We will disable chat if students engage in unacceptable behavior highlighted as red flags in the table above. This includes mean behavior such as harassment, using inappropriate language, bullying, hate speech, or passing derogatory remarks, as outlined in the problematic content section.

4. Disabling Annotation: If the teacher finds it necessary due to disruptions or if certain demeaning, abusive, or harassing words are being annotated on the screen, disrupting the smooth flow of the class.

5. Removing Learner from the class:

   1. In cases of unacceptable behavior as highlighted as ‘Red Flags’ in the table above or instances outlined as ‘Problematic Content’, we may remove a learner from the class at our discretion. A warning will precede this action, with a private chat message on zoom advising caution. If the behavior persists, the learner may be removed from class. In extreme cases, removal may occur without prior notification, but we commit to informing parents post-class via email, explaining the action taken and offering guidance for the future.

   2. If a learner fails the mandatory cam verification at the start of class, they won't be allowed to participate. They'll be promptly removed, and the reason shared privately via Zoom chat. If there are circumstances or technical issues that may have affected the verification process, we encourage you to reach out to our support team at [e-mail] for assistance.
6. Sending Learner to Waiting/Breakout Rooms: In certain instances, such as disputes, concerns related to identity verification, technical setup (including issues with profile pictures, background, video, microphone, noise, speakers, or tool usage), or any safety concern, learners may be moved to breakout rooms or the waiting room. Clear instructions will be provided personally to address the issue at hand.

This policy underscores our commitment to prioritizing the safety and security of our learners, a dedication we take seriously.

Contact Us

For class-related inquiries, email us at [e-mail]. For safety concerns, contact [e-mail]. You can also reach us via call or text at (872)-222-8643.