Dear Youth Tech Members:

 The word safety means a lot to the crew of Youth Tech, and should mean a lot to you as well.  One of the most popular features in Youth Tech, the Youth Tech Chatroom, is a constant safety concern among all. 

 Beginning on Friday, June 12, 1998, Youth Tech will only allow our chatroom to be available to members when a host is present. This means that our room will be closed to all members during the time that no host is present.  Our room will be available during all chats listed on the Upcoming Chats Schedule, and other times--depending on available hosting coverage. 

 Youth Tech plans on covering the room during these times:

 Sunday - Saturday: 2 PM - 11 PM Eastern

 These hours may change and may be updated depending on available hosts and coverage.  We will do our best to fill these hours, as well as additional hours.  When any coverage times change, we will be sure to let you know.

 We plan to keep the room hosted as much as possible, so that we can continue our strong community.  Our chatroom is important to us--  but your safety is even more important to us.  By opening the chatroom only when a host is in the room, we will be assured that we can assist you if you run into a safety issue.

 Thank you for your understanding in advance.  During this time of change, we ask for your support and suggestions to best serve you.  We will continue to recruit more hosts, so that we can open the room as much as possible for you.

        JeremyYT            BeckyYT

        Publisher                Community Manager

        Youth Tech            Youth Tech

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

 1. Why can't the chatroom be left open all the time?  What's the big deal?

 Youth Tech is considered a forum for teenagers, and is under the guidelines of any forum for teenagers.  Only hosted chatrooms may be left open for teenagers on AOL.

 2. Where should I go when the chatroom isn't open?

 We urge you to check out other areas in Youth Tech, such as our Message Boards or Techie Pals.  Both areas will allow you to communicate with your friends, without the chatroom.

 3. Are there any chatrooms for teenagers that are open all the time?

 Unfortunately, all forums online for teenagers are required to close chatrooms when they are not being hosted.  To our knowledge no teenager forum keeps their chatroom open 24 hours a day.

 4. Do you plan on getting more hosts so the chatroom can stay open longer?

 Yes.  Our goal is to continue recruiting more hosts so that the chatroom can be available. 

 5. The summer is almost here and I want to use the chatroom more.  Will the chatroom be opened more during the summer?

 We plan to increase the hours of service to our chatroom during the summer months (July and August).

 6. I have more questions about this.  Where can I talk about this?

 Please visit our newly created message board to discuss the change regarding the new Chatroom plans.

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