Guidance for Unit Web Sites

The Boy Scouts of America provides the following advice for individuals who use privately owned Web sites and e-mail accounts to communicate information about Scouting.

Decorum
Scouters should exercise propriety and good taste online.  Material that will be posted to a unit site or sent from a unit e-mail account should be reviewed by at least three adult members of the unit committee.  Access (the ability to place material on the site or send messages from the account) should be controlled by an adult who is responsible to the committee.

Youth Protection
Names, images, and especially contact information pertaining to youth members should never be gathered or published over the internet.

Copyright
Do not "borrow" (without permission) content for use in unit Web sites.  Written permission should always be obtained, even when material is declared to be "free" or "public domain;" it might not be.

"While we do not want to overcomplicate the unit Web guidelines, I do need to draw your attention to The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA").  This act places substantial restrictions on the collection of personal information from children by Web sites.  For this reason, we recommend that you do not collect personal information from children that visit any of the Web sites associated with your council.  For more information about compliance with this act, go to the Federal Trade Commission's Web site at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/kidzprivacy/

BSA National Council
December 15, 2000

If you have any questions about these guidelines, please feel free to contact the webmaster.