Community Guidelines

Welcome to TeachStream! Our platform is designed to support homeschooling families, educators, and students in creating meaningful educational experiences. These Community Guidelines outline the standards we expect from all members to ensure a safe, respectful, and productive environment for everyone.

1. Our Core Values

TeachStream is built on these fundamental principles:

• Respect: Treat all community members with dignity and kindness
• Safety: Protect the wellbeing of children and families
• Integrity: Be honest and authentic in all interactions
• Learning: Foster a supportive environment for educational growth
• Inclusivity: Welcome families from diverse backgrounds and educational philosophies

2. Respectful Conduct

All members are expected to:

• Communicate respectfully and professionally with other members
• Value diverse perspectives and educational approaches
• Engage in constructive discussions and avoid personal attacks
• Respect privacy and confidentiality of other families
• Support and encourage fellow homeschooling parents and students
• Acknowledge that different families have different educational goals and methods

3. Prohibited Content and Behavior

The following activities are strictly prohibited on TeachStream:

Illegal Activities

• Any content or behavior that violates local, state, or federal laws
• Sharing or soliciting illegal materials
• Fraud, scams, or financial misconduct
• Violation of intellectual property rights

Harmful Content

• Harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any kind
• Hate speech or discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic
• Violent, graphic, or disturbing content
• Sexual or inappropriate content involving minors
• Self-harm or suicide-related content
• Content that promotes dangerous activities or challenges

Deceptive Practices

• Impersonation of another person or organization
• Creating fake accounts or profiles
• Spreading misinformation or false information
• Spam, excessive self-promotion, or unsolicited advertising
• Phishing or attempts to gather personal information

Platform Abuse

• Attempting to hack, disrupt, or damage the platform
• Circumventing security measures or access controls
• Using automated tools or bots without permission
• Sharing account credentials with others

4. Child Safety

The safety of children is our highest priority. All members must:

• Never share personal information about minors without parental consent
• Respect photo and video sharing preferences set by parents
• Report any suspicious behavior or content involving children immediately
• Maintain appropriate boundaries in all interactions with students
• Comply with all applicable child protection laws and regulations
• Obtain proper permissions before photographing or recording children at group events

5. Privacy and Data Protection

Members are expected to:

• Protect the privacy of other families and students
• Not share screenshots or private messages without consent
• Respect group privacy settings and membership restrictions
• Not use personal information obtained through TeachStream for unauthorized purposes
• Follow our Privacy Policy and respect data protection requirements

6. Educational Content Standards

When sharing educational content, please ensure it is:

• Age-appropriate and educationally relevant
• Accurate and properly sourced when presenting factual information
• Respectful of diverse learning styles and educational philosophies
• Free from plagiarism and respects copyright laws
• Not misleading or harmful to students' educational development

7. Group Administration

Group administrators and educators have additional responsibilities:

• Model respectful and appropriate behavior
• Moderate group discussions and enforce community guidelines
• Address conflicts fairly and promptly
• Maintain transparency in group policies and decisions
• Protect the safety and privacy of all group members
• Communicate clearly about group expectations and requirements
• Handle financial matters (tuition, fees) with integrity and transparency

8. Financial Transactions

When handling payments and financial matters:

• Be transparent about all fees, costs, and refund policies
• Honor agreed-upon payment terms and schedules
• Communicate financial changes or issues promptly
• Maintain accurate records of transactions
• Comply with applicable tax laws and reporting requirements
• Do not use the platform for fraudulent financial activities

9. Intellectual Property

Respect intellectual property rights:

• Only share content you have the right to share
• Give proper attribution when using others' work
• Respect copyright, trademark, and patent rights
• Do not distribute copyrighted curriculum materials without permission
• Report copyright violations when discovered

10. Reporting Violations

If you witness behavior that violates these guidelines:

• Report it immediately through our reporting tools or contact support
• Do not engage with or retaliate against the violator
• Provide specific details and evidence when making a report
• Cooperate with any investigations if requested

For urgent safety concerns, especially those involving minors, contact local authorities immediately in addition to reporting through our platform.

11. Consequences of Violations

Violations of these Community Guidelines may result in:

• Warning or educational notification
• Temporary restriction of account features
• Temporary suspension of account
• Permanent account termination
• Removal from specific groups or communities
• Reporting to law enforcement when appropriate
• Legal action in cases of serious violations

The severity of consequences depends on the nature and frequency of violations. We reserve the right to take immediate action for serious violations without prior warning.

12. Appeals Process

If you believe your account was restricted or terminated in error:

• You may submit an appeal through our support channels
• Provide any relevant context or evidence
• Appeals will be reviewed within 7-10 business days
• Decisions on appeals are final

13. Compliance with Laws

All members must comply with:

• Local, state, and federal homeschooling regulations
• Child protection and safety laws
• Privacy laws (COPPA, FERPA, etc.)
• Anti-discrimination laws
• Accessibility requirements (ADA)
• Financial and tax regulations

14. Best Practices for Positive Engagement

We encourage all members to:

• Share helpful resources and educational tips
• Offer encouragement and support to struggling families
• Celebrate achievements and milestones
• Ask questions respectfully and be patient with responses
• Assume positive intent in communications
• Use constructive feedback when disagreeing
• Contribute to a positive and welcoming community atmosphere

15. Updates to Guidelines

We may update these Community Guidelines from time to time to reflect changes in our community, platform features, or legal requirements. We will notify members of significant changes through the platform. Continued use of TeachStream after changes indicates acceptance of the updated guidelines.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Community Guidelines or need to report a concern:

• Email: support@teachstream.com
• Use the in-platform reporting tools
• Contact your group administrator for group-specific issues