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Chat and Video: What’s Safe, What’s Allowed

Communication Settings and Recommendations

This article explains how students can safely communicate with others in SchoolSpace using video, audio, and chat. Communication settings can be adjusted to fit your school’s needs. This article also highlights tools that help schools create safe, positive experiences for all students.

How can Students Communicate in SchoolSpace?

Students can connect and build community in SchoolSpace using:

  • Video: Face-to-face video chat when near others
  • Audio: Real-time voice chat when near others
  • Chat: Direct messages and group channels

These features make it easy to collaborate, socialize, and have fun while staying safe.

 

 

How can Communication be Restricted?

Video

The ability for users to turn their camera on inside each world can be customized by Moderators, Managers, or World Owners. When Camera Access is on, users can turn their camera on or off. When Camera Access is off, users will not be able to turn their camera on unless specifically enabled by a teacher or admin.

To Adjust Camera Access:
  1. Click the Users Menu button on the right side of your screen.
  2. In the Settings section, next to Camera Access:
    • Toggle on to allow users to freely turn their camera on or off.
    • Toggle off to prevent users from turning their camera on unless enabled by a teacher or admin.
  3. Or, in the left sidebar, click World Settings settings → General User Controls.
  4. In the Communication section under Camera Access:
    • Toggle on to allow users to freely turn their camera on or off.
    • Toggle off to prevent users from turning their camera on unless enabled by a teacher or admin.

When Camera Access is off, admins can still freely use their camera.

 

Audio

The ability for users to unmute themselves inside each world can be customized by Moderators, Managers, or World Owners. When Microphone Access is on, users can turn their microphone on or off. When Microphone Access if off, users will not be able to unmute themselves unless specifically enabled by a teacher or admin.

To Adjust Microphone Access:
  1. Click the Users Menu button on the right side of your screen.
  2. In the Settings section, next to Microphone Access:
    • Toggle on to allow users to freely use their microphone.
    • Toggle off to prevent users from unmuting unless enabled by a teacher or admin.
  3. Or, in the left sidebar, click World Settings settings → General User Controls.
  4. In the Communication section under Microphone Access:
    • Toggle on to allow users to freely use their microphone.
    • Toggle off to prevent users from unmuting unless enabled by a teacher or admin.

When Microphone Access is turned off, admins can still freely use their mic.

 

Chat

Access to chat in each world can be customized by Moderators, Managers, or World Owners. Chat settings are flexible:

  • Chat channels can easily be turned off.
  • Direct messages can easily be turned off.

To keep chat safe, SchoolSpace blocks over 6,000 words from being sent in a message. If a student tries to use a banned word, they’ll receive a notification that their message could not be sent.

To Adjust Chat Settings:
  1. In the left sidebar, click World Settings settings → Messaging.
  2. For each Chat Channel or Direct Messaging:
    • Toggle on to allow users to access the channel or use direct messaging.
    • Toggle off to hide the channel or prevent direct messaging.

 

Silent Mode

When there are no Moderators present in a world, Silent Mode automatically activates and turns off:

  • All video and audio communication.
  • All chat communication.

This prevents students from unsupervised communication if the only Moderator loses their internet connection. Silent Mode can also be turned on or off manually at any time by Moderators, Managers, or World Owners.

To Manually Turn Silent Mode On or Off:
  1. In the left sidebar, click World Settings settings → General User Controls.
  2. In the Communication section under Silent Mode:
    • Toggle on to activate Silent Mode and stop all communication.
    • Toggle off to deactivate Silent Mode and return the world to it's previous communication settings.

When Silent Mode is on, admins can still communicate freely.

 

 

Recommendation: Share Your Own Guidelines

To set clear expectations for students, we recommend posting your school’s guidelines or Code of Conduct for students to reference. 

Link your school’s guidelines inside SchoolSpace:

  • World Description: Directly list or add a link to your school’s guidelines in the world description for students to read before entering.
  • On an Asset: Add a link to any asset in your world that opens your rules or guidelines.
  • Video: Create a video to remind students of expectations while inside SchoolSpace and add it as media to any asset. The video will automatically play when students are near the asset.

Example Guidelines:

  • Be kind and respectful.
  • Keep private information private.
  • Use school-appropriate language.
  • Ask a teacher or moderator for help if needed.

 

 

Why Digital Citizenship Matters

Being safe online isn’t just about rules, it’s about building skills for the future. SchoolSpace encourages positive digital habits which help students:

  • Make friends respectfully.
  • Communicate clearly.
  • Handle conflict responsibly.
  • Stay safe online.

Want to teach digital citizenship in your classroom? Explore these resources: Common Sense Education.