Guide Online

The Internet presents a host of possibilities and challenges for young users. We at Guide understand this and are committed to providing an online environment for children that is safe, fun, and Christ-centered. In accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), we strive to safeguard the privacy of children who visit our Web site, especially in regard to collection of children’s personal information. Personal information is defined under COPPA as “individually identifiable information,” information that helps others to identify a particular person. The following is information about what data we collect, how we use it, who has access to it, and what parents’ and legal guardians’ rights are with regard to the collection, storage, and use of their child’s personal information.

Visitors to our Web site under age 13 are for the most part free to access the various features our site offers without disclosing any personal information.

However, we require personal information for membership in the online CyberClub, which allows children to post in the online discussion board, participate in live chats, and receive the Guide e-mail newsletter. Information required to participate in the CyberClub includes the child’s full name, address, and e-mail address.

From time to time we offer programs and activities such as contests and giveaways that require children to disclose personal information in order to participate. Information required may include the child’s full name, address, and e-mail address.

We request an e-mail address to respond to questions and content posted via the “Contact Us,” “On Target,” “Upload Your Video,” “Cash for Your Story Idea,” and similar portions of the Web site. COPPA rules allow a Web site to collect a child’s e-mail address to respond once to a specific request from the child, as is done with the information provided in these sections of the site.

Children will not be required to disclose any more personal information than is reasonably necessary to participate in any program or activity.

In sections where children can post content to the site, such as the discussion board, “Caption the Cartoon,” and “Prayer Power,” all submissions are reviewed by an adult before being posted. The live chat room is always monitored by adults when open.

Before children under age 13 will be permitted to disclose personal information to participate in any programs or activities, we require consent from a parent or legal guardian. To request consent, we ask the child to provide his or her first name, as well as the e-mail address of a parent or legal guardian. With this information we e-mail the parent or legal guardian, asking the adult to provide the child’s personal information and give consent for the collection and use of this information. Parents or legal guardians may provide the child’s information and give their consent by completing an online form. Parents or legal guardians may also choose to provide the information and give consent by e-mailing us directly. If parents or legal guardians choose this option, we will verify their e-mailed consent by follow-up letter, telephone call, or e-mail. Once consent is given, the child will be permitted to participate.

Parents or legal guardians who provide consent to the collection and use of their child’s personal information may revoke that consent at any time. They may also review and edit their child’s information and request that the information be deleted at any time. Parents or legal guardians who have any other questions or concerns about our privacy policy, who wish to revoke consent to the collection and use of their child’s information and stop all future collection of that information, or who wish to review and/or delete their child’s information may contact Rachel Whitaker, our Web site contact operator, by e-mail at guide@rhpa.org, by telephone at 301-393-4037, by fax at 303-393-4055, or by mail at Guide, 55 W. Oak Ridge Dr., Hagerstown, MD 21740, USA. Parents or legal guardians asking to view their child’s information must verify their identity and relationship to the child by providing a signed request via mail or fax.

Cookies
Cookies are test files that contain pieces of information that a Web site transfers to an individual’s hard disk. On this site we do not collect any information passively through the use of cookies.

Third Parties
We will not share or sell any information to third parties without express authorization, except in the following instances:
1. Where disclosure is necessary to the operation of our Web site in order to serve your needs--for instance, in processing credit transactions or shipping products.
2. Where disclosure is necessary to ensure the security and integrity of our Web site, to protect against liability, or when we are required to disclose the information by law. Unfortunately, we are unable to control, and therefore cannot accept responsibility for, the data use practices of third parties in these situations.

Updated December 2007.