BUT I...

Our Version of FAQ's

Really like the filters/creativity that apps like Snapchat have to offer.
- The purpose of the pledge is to refrain from posting and widely distributing photos, comments and information. If you and your parent/guardian(s) agree for you to have Snapchat or a similar app for the sole purpose of creating private content that does not get posted/distributed, that is allowed under the pledge.

Want my family/friends to see photos of the things I’m doing, hobbies, accomplishments.
- Online photo sharing apps/streams are available and are private to only those you approve and want to share the information with and are not subject to pledge restrictions

Want to communicate with my friends.
- Phone calls, texting, email, Facetime/Skype, online chats/photo streams are not included in this pledge and are readily available for socializing and communication.
- This is a social media platform pledge only to reduce the public and wide distribution of personal information/photos/comments of children.

Want to get to know more and new people faster that I wouldn’t have the chance to meet in person
- Social media allows for people to represent themselves falsely (age, community, gender, etc) – it is more beneficial to meet new friends from current school, team, sport, community events where their identity is verified

Want to be easily updated on pop culture and current events and events in my community.
- Online news sources are not included in the pledge, access to community information is readily available through sources other than social media.
- If you are part of a community/group that only shares information or events through social media, there is an exception to the pledge that allows access to that information.

Don’t want to be left out/the only person not doing social media.
- The hope is that friends decide together to take this pledge and that it catches on for the benefits it provides to not have constant social media access…thereby if everyone bands together to eliminate or even reduce social media usage, you won’t be left out because everyone is doing this together.
- Even if you are the only person not doing social media, you are receiving the long term benefits stated above – less prone to cyber-bullying, social media provoked anxiety, etc.

Have social media and would actually like to do this pledge. Can I delete my social media?
- Yes! Anyone who chooses to delete their social media will be recognized (if they opt to be recognized) for this commitment
- If someone else signs the pledge based on the recommendation of another signer, the referral will also be recognized

Am a parent and found this on Facebook. Will this pledge have an online social media presence and if so, does that conform with the pledge?
- The pledge does not apply to anyone over 18. Parents will likely distribute this via social media platforms to reach a wide range of people. Any additional social media use will be monitored by the administrator (adult) of this website and will be for parent/guardian information purposes.
- We do hope to provide parents/guardians with resources in the future and may distribute those via a Facebook page or something similar.

Disagree and feel like the social media buzz is a bit alarmist and an overreaction.
- This pledge may not be for you at this time. For most people already heavily engaged in social media, this may not be a practical thing to do. The hope is that groups of friends and cohorts agree together to do this prior to being fully immersed in social media to change the negative effects of social media from this point forward.