32  STAR App Guidelines training video script

(The purpose of this video tutorial is to explain the STAR app guidelines)

Script

In this video, we are going to walk through the guidelines for the STAR app. By joining STAR, you agree to follow our guidelines when posting on STAR message boards, in direct messages, and during phone calls with STAR staff.

Our Guidelines are designed to make sure our participants and staff are protected and are treated professionally and with respect. All in-app messages, posts, and phone calls with staff are regularly reviewed by the STAR team, and staff will remove any discussion post, comment, or individual member who does not follow these guidelines. The full app guidelines can be found in the Study information section of the STAR app.

Guideline 1: Always Use Respectful Language Our team is committed to making the STAR app a space where individuals feel comfortable, safe, and empowered to communicate while supporting their recovery. Therefore, STAR will not tolerate sexual harassment, hate speech, violent or vulgar remarks, or hurtful language of any kind on app discussion boards or in communications with STAR staff.

Guideline 2: Use a Professional communication style Please communicate with staff and other STAR participants as you would in a professional work setting. You may send direct messages to staff with questions, comments, or concerns about the STAR study at any time. However, all Direct Messages to staff should be on topic and professional in tone. Similarly, posts and replies to topics on discussion boards should remain on topic and maintain a professional tone.

Our team is committed to responding to all messages from our participants in a prompt and professional manner. In addition to the standards outlined above, you can expect that any direct message or phone call received by STAR staff to be responded to within 1 - 2 business days of the message being received. If you are ever reaching out to report an issue with the STAR app, you will not be penalized for study tasks missed while waiting for a response from study staff.

Guideline 3: Safe communication/privacy

Communications on the STAR app and with STAR staff are secure to protect your privacy. Since posts and comments on message boards are able to be viewed by other authorized STAR users, we request that all users avoid sharing personal or private information that you would not be willing to share with a total stranger. For example, you should never share your full name, your phone number, your address, or your social security number. While you are free to discuss details of your participation in the study with people on other platforms, please be mindful of the information you are sharing within the STAR app to make sure that you are not accidentally sharing personal information about someone else. If you would shred it, don’t share it.

Review Process Our team keeps a record of all messages and posts sent within the STAR app, as well as all phone and email conversations with STAR staff outside of the app. These records are regularly reviewed by our STAR team to make sure communication follows our stated guidelines.

If a member of the STAR team detects language or behavior that does not follow our guidelines, a private written warning will be sent to individuals following their first offence. A second offence may result in the person’s account being removed from the app and withdrawal from the STAR study.

Study staff will always be available to discuss decisions about warnings or withdrawal. These guidelines are meant to serve as general rules for the type of behavior that will result in a warning or possible withdrawal from the STAR study. The STAR team reserves the right to determine if a participant has behaved inappropriately.