Protection of minors

Yachad is also aimed at young people. Because the app encourages real meetings, special rules apply to teenagers. They are enforced by the server, not just displayed in the app.

Minimum age 16

You can use Yachad from the age of 16; your birthday counts. Younger people cannot register. If an account is reported as “Person is under 16” and this is confirmed, it is suspended and deleted after 30 days. At 16 the person may register again.

What the date of birth is for

When you register, Yachad asks for your date of birth. It is only used for the minimum age and the rules until your 18th birthday. Others never see it. Teams of churches that approve members see your age in years.

Rules until 18

• Contact only with a shared connection. Adults can only send teenagers requests or invite them to plans and groups if there is a shared connection, such as mutual friends. “The same church” only counts if the church has approved both memberships.
• Open plans. Adults’ open plans are only open to teenagers if they are opened for their own church and requests are confirmed.
• Profile. Adult friends only see dates on a teenager’s profile that both said yes to, and only mutual friends in their friends list.
• Friends lists. Other teenagers don’t appear in any friends list for adults unless they are friends with them.
• Suggestions. Search suggestions only show people of the same age group.
• Addresses. If you enter an address in an opened plan, the app reminds you that everyone who says yes will see it. For meeting strangers, a public place is better.

If the app refuses something because of the protection of minors, a notice explains why.

Reporting

Reports in the category Endangering minors are reviewed by the platform team with priority. See Report and block.

For churches with youth work

Many churches and associations have their own safeguarding policies. Yachad doesn’t replace them. For children’s and youth ministries, hidden ministries with approval are a good fit, see Members and access.