Seguridad - Alpha LATAM

eSafety

If you are running Alpha online, please take all necessary precautions and steps to ensure that both you and your church, as well as those involved in running Alpha, are informed about the safety measures for doing so.

It is necessary to be vigilant about those who might abuse young people; they often start with virtual communications and then lure individuals into unsafe face-to-face meetings.

With a growing number of Alphas being conducted online through various platforms such as Zoom, Facebook, and Instagram, there is a need to utilize the video call features these platforms offer. We know it is difficult to have control or monitoring on these platforms, which is why we encourage hosts and helpers to work as a team to provide support in these matters.

If you are using Zoom or another platform, please keep the following in mind and take precautions and security measures such as protecting your meeting with passwords, using a secure internet connection (e.g., a password-protected private Wi-Fi network), being aware of your surroundings and what can be seen in your video transmission, and please ensure that the sessions are not being recorded.

The dangers in this area include cyberbullying and grooming. Both issues are extremely serious and must be handled with the utmost caution and care by hosts and helpers.

eSafety: What is it?

eSafety is used to describe the measures aimed at safeguarding (protecting vulnerable individuals) in their use of mobile phones, computers (laptops, netbooks, tablets), and any electronic devices, including gaming consoles, that allow for communication and access to the internet, emails, text messages, instant messaging, social media, and other platforms.

What should you do?

-'Think before you post': once information is online, it can be very difficult or impossible to remove.

– When closing your messages, use a friendly tone but avoid being too familiar or personal.

– Keep your video calls, chats, and communications at appropriate times of the day.

– For Alpha hosts: Use a leadership style that meets the needs of the entire group and remember to follow good practices and conduct in your online behavior.

– Promote safety and healthy use of social media. Ensure that your security measures and settings are appropriate and up to date.

– Communicate clearly and not ambiguously; use social media primarily for providing information rather than for conversation (e.g., for group reminders).

– Communicate and behave with respect, whether you are interacting digitally or in person.

– Share only when you feel comfortable doing so. Just as you respect others and do not pressure them to share or do things they do not want to, do not pressure yourself to share or do things you are not comfortable with. If you feel uncomfortable about communication or behavior, whether online or offline, contacting your leader or the person in charge to discuss the situation and take appropriate action will be the best course of action.

What should you NOT do?

– Promise confidentiality that you cannot guarantee.

– Allow your Alpha to be recorded.

– Encourage exclusivity in communications, such as one-on-one interactions, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

– Video calls alone with a young person or a vulnerable individual.

– Share your contacts' details without their authorization.

– Add people who are not part of your Alpha group—keep social media contacts limited to those within your Alpha group.

– Post photos of people without asking for their permission first.

– Posting photos of minors whose parents have stated that they do not want their children’s images to be used (or if the minors do not agree to the use of the photos).

– Tag people only if you have their permission. It’s their choice, not yours.

– Delve deeply into conversations through online chats or text messages—keep chats to a minimum, just for catching up.

– For Alpha hosts: Following minors on Snapchat or private messaging services or sharing your personal story with them.

Different situations that should raise your attention may include:

– If someone says something that suggests they are in danger or at risk (You should take immediate action—see below in "What to do").

– The content of messages/emails suggests any form of abuse (You should report it as soon as possible, within the next 24 hours).

– You are concerned about the person’s mental well-being (again, act quickly).

– The content that person shared online or via text is inappropriate.

– Inappropriate images were shared.

– Someone has become overly dependent on you through frequent and extensive calls or chats.

– A minor is hiding their emails or messages (this may be an indicator of grooming)

– A minor is being contacted by unknown adults or receiving gifts from people they do not know (this could be an indicator of grooming)

What to do when this happens?

– DO NOT CLOSE THE CONVERSATION: It may result in potential loss of evidence—take screenshots if possible, and save any conversation, for example, by copying and pasting with the date and time if necessary.

– Inform your leader, the Alpha leader, or the relevant authority as soon as possible.

– If you believe a person is in danger or at risk, contact the emergency number for your region. Increasingly, countries have tools and services for digital protection and can act quickly and effectively in any of the situations mentioned above.