One of key elements of fruitful youth ministry is effective communication. This was challenging even before Covid-19, but has become even more so in present circumstances. PCI is therefore excited to announce the launch of a brand new Youth App which will allow congregations to safely and effectively keep in touch with young people, leaders and parents.

Thanks to funding by the Education Authority Youth Service, limited numbers of Presbyterian churches in Northern Ireland will be able to apply for one free licence for this app until the end of 2022. For those in the Republic of Ireland, app developer, Summer Madness, has kindly agreed to sponsor their free use of the app for the same period.

The Youth App from PCI is available for use in congregations as a basic template with a number of default ‘pages’ which can then be customised as their own ‘affiliate’ app. Pages can easily be removed, added, or given a password protection to restrict their use. This makes the app very flexible and it can be used in a range of ways, but can initially be used effectively with a simple basic version.

Benefits

The beauty of the Youth App from PCI is that it brings everything all together in one place, easily accessible to everyone involved in a church’s youth ministry. Using this app, congregations will be able to:

• Communicate with young people in a safe and controlled way, either through direct notifications to all app users or via other elements of social media within the app allowing communication with young people involved in one particular organisation.
• Communicate directly with parents through notifications only to them, and through their own password-protected pages of the app which can contain various useful elements, such as resources, information and consent forms. Parents who use the app will also see what is available to their young people.
• Communicate with leaders who also have their own password-protected pages and can receive notifications only for them. Leaders’ pages can also have a range of uses including information, devotions and group chat.
• Easy sharing of helpful resources with young people, for example, your own daily devotional readings, third party discipleship resources or the Headstrong mental wellbeing app.
• Optional chat platforms facilitating safe and age-appropriate group chat (see below for details).

There are a number of other features built in to the pages of the template app, but each congregation will have the capacity to customise the app to their own needs. The potential can expand according the creativity of the user, but you can start with the basics and build from there as appropriate.

Safeguarding

Before using a new tool of this nature, careful attention must be given to what is required to protect young people and leaders, and reassure parents. Congregations should give consideration to and take appropriate action in these areas:

1. Parental consent
   Before using the Youth App from PCI, informed written consent should be obtained from parents / guardians for young people to use the app and any associated platforms which will be integrated into the app and for which consent has not already been obtained. This should specify any group chat platforms you intend to use and how these will work. Future multi-purpose consent forms should include the app and any associated elements you intend to use. Parents can be encouraged to use the app also for the sake of transparency.
2. Setting up and using the app
   The Youth App from PCI should be used in a way which is consistent with Taking Care guidelines, remembering that safeguarding is as important in the virtual world as in the ‘real’ world, so the same rules should apply. This includes the following ways to ensure best practice:
   - appoint a coordinator to oversee the setting up and use of the app, plus up to three additional moderators
   - agree simple protocols to protect leaders and young people
   - use a church email account with shared access, not the personal email address of a leader
   - remember Taking Care guidelines require congregations to observe age restrictions on social media platforms 
   use the password facility to protect pages which are sensitive or private, e.g. group chats
3. GDPR
   No data is stored on the app or by group leaders, only on third party platforms. PCI will collect limited contact details and seek permission to pass these to Summer Madness in order for them to provide user access. PCI and Summer Madness will retain this data for as long as the user is active, or if alternative contact details are given for that congregation.

Setting up the Youth App from PCI

Although congregations will be able to customise the app to their own requirements, no computer science qualifications are necessary! A series of videos is available HERE to assist users to set up and maintain the app in the best way for their situation. Ongoing technical support is readily available from Summer Madness should there be any questions. Please note:

• Upon registration you will receive an email acknowledgement from CLW who will pass on your details to Summer Madness.
• You will hear from Summer Madness (this may not be immediately) who will send your unique login details and information on how to download and start using the app, plus information on how to get technical advice and support from Summer Madness if required.
• You will be advised how to access your personal ‘affiliate’ version of the Youth App from PCI and the editing web page which allows users to change and adapt their app. A small amount of the content is fixed but the majority of pages, logos and icons can be removed or edited, and additional pages can be added. It will be up to your discretion how much you wish to customise the app, but a little work will be required to personalise it and make it ready to use in your congregation.
• Summer Madness provided a webinar for initial users on how to use the app on Friday 12 March 2021. The webinar will also be added to this page in due course.
• Once you have customised your version of the app and are ready for it to be used, young people, parents and leaders can download it from the Android or IOS app stores (obtaining appropriate consent as stated).
• Use of the app will be free until 31 December 2022, after which Summer Madness will reserve the right to charge a small fee for continued use.
• Congregations are encouraged to ‘try out’ the app and see if is suitable for their needs; only if you decide that the app will not be used or use is discontinued, congregations are requested to notify PCI and Summer Madness so their details can be removed and their version of the app deleted.
• Here is a list of short videos from Summer Madness which explain various technical aspects of the Youth App.

Apply for the Youth App from PCI

Congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland are welcome to apply for one free licence of the Youth App.

If you wish to apply please complete the following details and then click ‘submit’ below:

Appropriate use of group chat apps

Taking Care guidance states that you should not use social media platforms to engage with young people who are younger than the minimum age allowed for those apps. This includes WhatsApp (16 in the ‘European Region’ which still includes the UK), Instagram (13) and TikTok (13).

Congregations may wish to consider options for group chat apps, including the following which are included in the template version of the app as options:

• Minnit is a chat platform designed for age 13+ which can be embedded into a web site or the Youth App and has safety features including sophisticated settings and password protection. Read their FAQ for more information.
• Google Hangouts is designed for users 13 and older with a Google account, but parents can set up supervised Google account for under 13s using the Google Family Link app. Young people can be invited to join a Hangout, or a link can be created to put into the Youth App. This page can then be password protected to ensure only those intended can access it through that link.
• Geckolife – an app which is designed to be safe for all ages, including younger children who can use accounts set up by parents. You can read more about how youth groups, schools and families can safely use Geckolife HERE. A private canvas is probably the safest and most useful option. Read a review from Common Sense Media HERE.

As with all apps, and particularly those designed for group chat, Taking Care guidelines should be followed carefully. Caution and transparency should be excised, such as always having two adult leaders in the group, excluding those who should not be there (including other adults) and ensuring parents give informed consent for their child to use any of these platforms.