Community Guidelines

Welcome to Our Faith Community

WalkTogether is a faith-based community designed to help believers grow spiritually through daily devotions, prayer partnerships, and supportive connections. These Community Guidelines outline our expectations for how members should interact with one another and what behaviors are not acceptable within our community.

By using WalkTogether, you agree to follow these guidelines and help us maintain a safe, respectful, and faith-centered environment for all users.

1. Our Core Values

1.1 Faith-Centered Community

WalkTogether is built on Christian values and principles. All interactions should reflect:

• Love: Show Christ-like love and compassion to all community members
• Respect: Treat others with dignity and honor, regardless of differences
• Kindness: Communicate with gentleness and consideration
• Encouragement: Build up and support fellow believers in their faith journey
• Humility: Approach discussions and sharing with a humble heart

1.2 Our Mission

Our community exists to:

• Encourage consistent spiritual habits and daily faith practices
• Provide a safe space for believers to share prayer requests and testimonies
• Foster authentic connections between believers through prayer partnerships
• Support spiritual growth through Bible study, devotions, and community engagement
• Maintain a welcoming environment for Christians of all denominations and backgrounds

2. Expected Behavior

2.1 Respectful Communication

When interacting with others on WalkTogether, you should:

• Communicate with kindness, patience, and understanding
• Listen actively and respond thoughtfully to prayer requests and concerns
• Assume the best intentions in others' communications
• Offer constructive feedback or advice in a loving, non-judgmental manner
• Use appropriate language that reflects Christian values
• Respect different Christian denominations and theological perspectives

2.2 Spiritual Content Sharing

When sharing spiritual content, prayer requests, or engaging in faith discussions:

• Be Authentic: Share genuinely from your heart and personal experience
• Be Encouraging: Focus on building up and supporting others in their faith
• Be Respectful: Honor different interpretations of Scripture within orthodox Christianity
• Be Humble: Share testimonies and advice without spiritual pride or superiority
• Be Appropriate: Keep content suitable for a diverse Christian audience
• Be Focused: Avoid divisive theological debates that could harm community unity

2.3 Prayer Partner Interactions

When matched with a prayer partner:

• Maintain appropriate boundaries and Christian conduct at all times
• Keep conversations focused on prayer, spiritual growth, and faith encouragement
• Respect your partner's privacy and keep shared prayer requests confidential
• Communicate regularly and follow through on prayer commitments
• Be patient and understanding if your partner is struggling or going through difficult times
• Report any concerning behavior immediately to our moderation team

2.4 Community Participation

In the Prayer Wall and Community Hub:

• Share prayer requests that are genuine and appropriate for public viewing
• Pray for others and offer biblical encouragement
• Celebrate answered prayers and God's faithfulness with the community
• Engage authentically without seeking attention or validation
• Support others going through difficult seasons with compassion

3. Prohibited Conduct

3.1 Absolutely Prohibited

The following behaviors will result in immediate account suspension or termination:

• Soliciting Personal Information from Minors: Any attempt to obtain personal information from users under 18
• Inappropriate Behavior Toward Minors: Sexual content, grooming attempts, or any behavior that threatens minor safety
• Harassment or Bullying: Targeting, intimidating, or persistently bothering other users
• Hate Speech: Content promoting hatred or violence based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, or other characteristics
• Sexual or Inappropriate Content: Sharing sexually explicit content, inappropriate images, or suggestive messages
• Promoting Illegal Activities: Encouraging or discussing illegal behavior, substance abuse, or self-harm
• Circumventing Safety Features: Attempting to bypass age verification, chat restrictions, or contact blocking systems

3.2 Content Violations

The following content is not permitted on WalkTogether:

• Profanity and Vulgar Language: Inappropriate language, cursing, or crude expressions
• Spam and Advertising: Unsolicited commercial messages, promotional content, or repetitive posts
• False Information: Deliberately sharing misleading or inaccurate spiritual teachings
• Impersonation: Pretending to be another person, religious figure, or organization
• Divisive Content: Content designed to cause conflict, division, or discord within the community
• Off-Topic Content: Excessive non-spiritual discussions that don't align with our faith-based purpose
• Personal Attacks: Targeting individuals with insults, mockery, or defamatory statements

3.3 Privacy and Safety Violations

To protect all users, the following is strictly prohibited:

• Sharing phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles, or external contact information
• Posting links to external websites or apps (unless specifically permitted)
• Sharing personal addresses, workplaces, schools, or specific location information
• Attempting to arrange in-person meetings with other users
• Sharing screenshots or private messages from prayer partner conversations without consent
• Creating multiple accounts to evade restrictions or bans

4. Age-Segregated Communication

4.1 Prayer Partner Chat Restrictions

Our private Prayer Partner messaging feature enforces strict age segregation for safety:

• Users Aged 14-17: Can only be matched with and communicate with other users aged 14-17
• Users Aged 18+: Can only be matched with and communicate with other users aged 18+
• These restrictions are technically enforced and cannot be circumvented
• Any attempt to bypass age segregation will result in immediate account termination

4.2 Community Features

The Prayer Wall and Community Hub are accessible to all age groups:

• All users can view and interact with posts from the entire community
• Extra safety measures protect teen users in public community spaces
• Content is monitored to ensure age-appropriate interactions
• Users should be mindful of the diverse age range when posting

5. Safety and Moderation

5.1 Content Monitoring

To maintain a safe environment, we employ:

• AI-Powered Moderation: Automated systems scan prayer partner chat messages for prohibited content
• Language Filters: Automatic detection and blocking of inappropriate language
• Contact Blocking: AI detection of phone numbers, emails, and external links
• Human Review: Trained moderators review flagged content and user reports
• 24/7 Monitoring: Continuous oversight of community interactions

5.2 Extra Protections for Teen Users (Ages 14-17)

Teen users receive additional safety measures:

• Advanced language filtering with stricter thresholds
• Image sharing disabled or heavily moderated
• Enhanced AI contact information blocking
• Daily safety tips in prayer partner chats
• Teen-focused reporting options for bullying and safety concerns

5.3 Reporting Violations

All users have a responsibility to report violations:

• When to Report: If you encounter inappropriate behavior, harassment, safety concerns, or guideline violations
• How to Report: Use the report button in chats or community posts
• What to Report: Specific messages, posts, or behaviors that violate these guidelines
• Report Protection: All reports are confidential and the reported user won't know who reported them
• False Reports: Submitting false or malicious reports may result in account restrictions

For urgent safety concerns, contact our support team directly at info@walktogether-app.com with "Safety Concern" in the subject line.

6. Consequences for Violations

6.1 Enforcement Actions

Violations of these Community Guidelines may result in:

• Warning: First-time minor violations may receive a warning notification
• Content Removal: Inappropriate posts or messages will be deleted
• Temporary Suspension: Account access restricted for a specified period
• Feature Restrictions: Limitations on specific features (messaging, posting, etc.)
• Permanent Ban: Account termination for serious or repeated violations
• Legal Action: Reporting to law enforcement for illegal activities or threats to safety

6.2 Appeal Process

If you believe a moderation action was taken in error:

• You may appeal the decision within 30 days
• Submit appeals to info@walktogether-app.com with "Moderation Appeal" in the subject line
• Provide specific details about why you believe the action was incorrect
• A human moderator will review your appeal within 5-7 business days
• The moderator's decision after review is final

7. Updates to These Guidelines

We may update these Community Guidelines periodically to reflect:

• Changes in community needs and feedback
• New features or functionality in the app
• Emerging safety concerns or best practices
• Legal or regulatory requirements

We will notify users of significant changes through in-app notifications and update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page. Continued use of WalkTogether after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated guidelines.

8. Additional Resources

For more information about WalkTogether policies and practices:

• Terms of Service: Legal terms governing your use of WalkTogether
• Privacy Policy: How we collect, use, and protect your information
• Support Center: FAQ, troubleshooting guides, and help resources
• About Us: Learn about our mission, values, and team

9. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Community Guidelines or need to report a safety concern:

10. Commitment to Community

WalkTogether is more than an app—it's a community of believers committed to spiritual growth and authentic connection. By following these guidelines, you help create a safe, supportive environment where faith can flourish.

Thank you for being part of our community and for your commitment to walking together in faith.

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11