Parent FAQs
 
The Internet is a very powerful tool in today's world, but it can be a dangerous place for kids. MyGrapple.com offers a safe and secure environment for the preteens and junior highers in your church to continue their Sunday school learning all week long! Only students from your child's Sunday school class will be part of his/her MyGrapple group. No one else will be able to access their site.

Here's some information about Grapple and how you can help ensure a safe, rewarding experience for your child.
 
Q. What programs does my computer need to run MyGrapple.com?
A. MyGrapple.com is Web-based, which means that all you need is access to the Internet. However, to play the Grapple Computer Games, you will also need to have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer. To download the latest version for FREE, visit www.adobe.com. If you experience any problems installing Flash Player, or just need assistance with the installation, please visit http://www.adobe.com/support/flashplayer/. NOTE: If your computer doesn't have the latest version of Flash Player, your child will receive a notice when they try to play the games instructing them to obtain parent permission and assistance to download the latest version at www.adobe.com. It's FREE! As part of the Grapple security policy, your child won't be given an active link to access the Adobe website.
 
Q. Can my child jump from the MyGrapple.com site onto other Internet sites?
A. There are no links to other sites within the MyGrapple.com site. It is a totally closed environment. That being said, depending upon what type of security you have installed on your computer, your child may be able to access other sites by typing the URL into your browser window. We recommend that you revisit your Web filtering software settings to make sure that they are consistent with the level of independence you wish to give your child. If you truly want to limit your child's access to only MyGrapple.com, set the security as such.
 
Q. What personal information does Grapple collect about kids?
A. NONE! It's truly that simple. At no time does Grapple ask for any personal information from your child. In fact, we ask that you support this by discouraging your child from ever entering personal information such as last name, address, phone number, age, etc. on the Internet.
 
Q. What is COPPA and how does it apply to Grapple?
A. You may have heard or read about something called COPPA - The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. COPPA requires that Internet sites inform parents and legal guardians about how they collect, use, and disclose personal information from children under 13 years of age; and that any site collecting this type of information obtain the consent of parents and guardians in order for children under 13 years of age to use certain features of our websites. Since Grapple DOES NOT collect or store any personal information about its users, it does not fall into the realm of COPPA regulations. No one outside of your child's Sunday school teacher will know the names of the students who are part of your church's Grapple community.
 
Q. How will I, as a parent, know when my child should be going on the Internet as part of his/her Sunday school lesson?
A. The MyGrapple.com portion of the Grapple Sunday school curriculum can be thought of as a next-generation take-home paper. You know-the page that explains the lesson studied that week that students often bring home to show Mom or Dad. But MyGrapple.com takes the learning a step beyond by encouraging students in the same class to build community all week long as they discuss what they're learning, offer prayer requests, and share ways they see God working in their world. Your child's Sunday school teacher should secure your consent before your child begins to participate on MyGrapple.com. As a parent it's important that you approve and stay involved in any Web experience your child is participating in.
 
Q. What should I do if I notice inappropriate conversation on my child's MyGrapple.com site?
A. First, report the activity to the Sunday school teacher. He or she is the one who is regularly monitoring the site. Second, talk to your student. Make sure he or she knows not to respond to inappropriate online behavior. Give your child the same coaching you would if you became aware of a student acting inappropriately in Sunday school class or at school.
 
Q. What are some rules that I should put into place before letting my child go on the Internet?
A. Safekids.com offers many tips and guidelines that all kids should follow while on the Internet. It might be good to present them as a "contract" and have your preteen or junior higher sign at the bottom as his or her commitment to the guidelines.