Parental Consent Guide for SELF

What is Parental Consent?

Parental consent is the explicit permission given by a parent or legal guardian allowing a child under 18 years old to use SELF services. This consent acknowledges that the parent understands the nature of AI-powered emotional support, the potential benefits and limitations, and agrees to supervise their child's use of the platform.

Why Parental Consent is Required

Safety First

SELF is designed to provide emotional support, but AI systems can be complex and may not always respond as expected. Parental involvement ensures:

• Children receive appropriate guidance when using AI for emotional support
• Parents can monitor their child's interactions and emotional well-being
• Additional safeguards are in place for younger users

Legal and Ethical Standards

Canadian privacy laws (PIPEDA) and international standards require parental consent for minors using online services that collect personal information or provide personalized content.

Age-Appropriate Usage

While SELF is suitable for users 13 and older with supervision, parental consent ensures:

• Parents understand what their child will experience
• Family discussions about emotional health and AI tools occur
• Responsible usage boundaries are established

How Parental Consent Works

Consent Process

1. Parent/Guardian Registration: Parent creates their own SELF account first
2. Child Account Creation: Parent initiates account creation for their child
3. Information Review: Parent reviews SELF's capabilities, limitations, and safety features
4. Consent Declaration: Parent provides explicit consent through secure form
5. Supervision Setup: Parent establishes supervision parameters and monitoring preferences

Consent Requirements

Parental consent must include acknowledgment of:

• Service Purpose: Understanding that SELF provides AI emotional support, not therapy
• Data Collection: What information is collected and how it's used
• Safety Limitations: AI cannot replace human judgment or professional care
• Supervision Role: Parent's responsibility to supervise and guide usage
• Emergency Resources: Knowledge of available crisis support resources

Consent Duration and Renewal

• Initial Consent: Valid for the child's current age group (13-17)
• Annual Renewal: Consent must be renewed each year to ensure ongoing understanding
• Age Transition: New consent required when child turns 18
• Revocation Rights: Parents can revoke consent at any time

Parent Responsibilities

Active Supervision

• Monitor Usage: Regularly check child's interactions and emotional responses
• Guide Discussions: Help child understand AI responses and limitations
• Emotional Support: Be available to discuss feelings and experiences
• Professional Referral: Know when to seek human professional help

Communication

• Open Dialogue: Discuss emotional health openly with your child
• AI Education: Teach child about AI capabilities and limitations
• Boundary Setting: Establish appropriate usage guidelines
• Support Resources: Familiarize yourself with available mental health resources

Privacy Protection

• Data Awareness: Understand what data is collected and retained
• Privacy Settings: Configure appropriate privacy controls
• Account Management: Monitor and manage child's account settings
• Data Deletion: Know how to request data deletion if needed

Child's Role in Consent

Age-Appropriate Understanding

Children should understand:

• AI Nature: SELF is an AI assistant, not a human or therapist
• Privacy: What information they share and why
• Safety: When to stop conversations or seek human help
• Consent: That parental permission is required for their age

Child Participation

• Informed Agreement: Child should be involved in consent discussions
• Usage Guidelines: Understanding of appropriate platform use
• Communication: Feeling comfortable discussing experiences with parents
• Help-Seeking: Knowing how to ask for help when needed

Technical Implementation

Consent Verification

• Secure Process: Consent collected through encrypted, authenticated forms
• Identity Verification: Methods to verify parental relationship
• Digital Signatures: Legally binding electronic consent where applicable
• Audit Trail: Complete record of consent process and renewals

Account Structure

• Linked Accounts: Parent and child accounts are linked for supervision
• Access Controls: Parent can view usage, set limits, and control features
• Communication: Parents receive notifications about significant interactions
• Emergency Access: Parents can access account in crisis situations

Privacy by Design

• Minimal Data: Only necessary data collected for service provision
• Parental Controls: Enhanced privacy settings for minor accounts
• Data Isolation: Minor data segregated with additional protections
• Deletion Rights: Simplified data deletion process for parents

What Parents Need to Know

SELF's Capabilities

• Emotional Support: AI provides general emotional guidance and coping strategies
• Crisis Detection: System monitors for safety concerns and can alert parents
• Resource Connection: Links to professional help and crisis services
• Learning System: AI improves based on safe, appropriate interactions

Limitations to Understand

• Not Therapy: Cannot replace professional mental health treatment
• AI Responses: May not always be perfect or contextually appropriate
• No Diagnosis: Cannot diagnose conditions or provide medical advice
• Supervision Required: Human judgment and parental guidance essential

Safety Features

• Real-time Monitoring: Continuous safety assessment during conversations
• Intervention Protocols: Clear processes for handling concerning interactions
• Emergency Escalation: Immediate connection to human specialists when needed
• Usage Controls: Parental controls over features and conversation types

Getting Started with Parental Consent

Step-by-Step Process

1. Parent Account Creation: Parent creates and verifies their own account
2. Information Review: Parent reviews all consent documentation and service details
3. Child Discussion: Parent discusses SELF usage with their child
4. Consent Submission: Parent completes secure consent form
5. Account Setup: Parent creates child's account with appropriate settings
6. Supervision Configuration: Parent sets up monitoring and control preferences

Support Resources

• Parental Guide: Comprehensive guide for parents new to AI emotional support
• FAQ: Answers to common parental questions and concerns
• Support Team: Dedicated parental support specialists
• Community: Parent-to-parent discussions and advice

Ongoing Parental Involvement

Regular Check-ins

• Usage Review: Periodic review of child's usage patterns
• Emotional Check-ups: Discussions about how SELF is helping or concerning issues
• Setting Adjustments: Modifying controls based on child's needs and maturity
• Resource Updates: Staying informed about new features and safety updates

When to Seek Help

• Professional Care: If child shows signs of emotional distress
• Technical Issues: Contact support for platform problems
• Privacy Concerns: Report any privacy or safety issues immediately
• General Questions: Reach out to parental support for guidance

Contact Information

Parental Support

• Email: parents@SerenixAI.com
• Emergency: safety@SerenixAI.com (24/7)

Documentation

• Complete Guide: Full parental consent and supervision guide
• Privacy Policy: Detailed data handling for minor accounts
• Terms of Service: Legal framework for parental consent
• Safety Features: Technical details of parental controls

Parental consent represents a partnership between families and technology providers to ensure safe, beneficial use of AI emotional support tools. Your involvement helps create a safer environment for your child's emotional exploration and growth.

This guide is part of our commitment to family-centered AI safety and responsible technology use.