Computer/Online Safety
Understand the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge
In order to make sure that girls are aware of how to safely use the Internet, you should discuss online
safety issues with the girls and distribute copies of the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge (the pledge is
available at the end of this document and at www.girlscouts.org). The girls should also take a copy of
the pledge home and go over it with their parents. Both the girl and her parent should sign the pledge.
Safeguard Information
Girls must understand that the Internet is an open means of communication that anyone can access. As
such, websites will often attract people other than their intended users. It is therefore imperative that
any information that could jeopardize the safety and security of girls and adults not be disclosed on a
website. The following measures will help to ensure girls’ online safety:
● Girl Scouts should only use their first names
● A Girl Scout’s last name, address, phone number, or email address should never be posted. For
Digital Cookie a girl may post her unique Digital Cookie URL on her Facebook page and may email
it to friends and family (for additional information please refer to Safety Activity Checkpoint for
Online Product Sales, Digital Cookie Terms & Conditions for Volunteers and Digital Cookie Pledge
for Girls)
● Always have a parent’s or guardian’s permission when using pictures of girls on a website. This is
especially important if the girl is under 13 years old
● Do not allow automatic posting of messages to a website. All postings to message boards, social
media and guest books should have adult oversight, and be screened prior to posting live.
● Ensure that websites do not show personal email addresses of girls, but use a troop, group or adult’s email.
Safety in Technology-Based Sales
Girl Scouts use the Internet for a variety of reasons including the online marketing and sale of approved
Girl Scout related products. Below are some key points to keep in mind for all online sales and
marketing:
● Girls must read, understand and accept the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge, prior to conducting
any online sales or marketing activities, which is available at the end of the Computer/Online Use:
Safety Activity Checkpoints
● Girls may send email messages to alert friends and relatives about product sales and accept
customer commitments via email
● Social media sites may be used to market product, however, all applicable GSUSA and council
guidelines must be followed
● Girls writing product emails or announcements online should sign with their first names only,
their troop/group number or name and their council name.
● Personal emails or street addresses of girls should never be used. Instead, use one of the
following:
o A blind return address account where the girls’ name or personal email is not revealed to
the customer and is instead hosted on a secure site
o A group account, monitored by an adult
o An adult’s email account, which is supervised by that adult
● Girls should never arrange in-person meetings with online contacts, other than to deliver cookies
and only with the approval and accompaniment of a parent or designated adult.