Next Steps for the Teen Grid

I wanted to let you know we're starting to build the Teen Grid. In planning these next steps, we've taken very seriously the feedback that you've given us over the last several months regarding Teens in Second Life, their safety, and the need for a special, separate place inaccessible to the adults in the main grid. Following is an overview of the plan, and we'll be in-world the next few days to answer questions you may have.

Invitation Only
Beginning April 20th we'll start to slowly let teens aged 13 to 17 into a special grid, not accessible to the Second Life main grid. The Teen Grid will be available by invitation only, with invitations being made available in groups of 5 to the teens on the grid so they can invite their friends. There will also be some people who come in through the Second Life website, who will be put in a queue and invited by Linden Lab. In addition, some people who had surreptitiously found a way into the main Second Life grid but who had to wait, after all, for their very own space, the Teen Grid, will be invited to join.

Liaisons
There are two Linden Liaisons who will be joining the Teen Grid immediately under the supervision of Char Linden: Blue Linden and Deana Linden. In addition the teens on the grid will be able to IM the liaisons on the main grid for help in an emergency. Char will also continue to work with the liaisons on the main grid, so she'll still be around!

Hours
The Teen Grid will be open from noon to 10PM Pacific time for the near future. We will expand the hours as we see how quickly the population grows and as we add the staff to support them.

Communication with the Main Grid
The Teen Grid is unique from the main Second Life grid; a separate place with its own groups, events, and places. Communication with the main grid will not be allowed. We'll be auditing the two grids to make sure that there are no IMs or objects transmitted between the two grids. This is for the safety of the teens, to make sure that they are not subjected to any inappropriate or offensive content or contact.

Content Uploads
Teens will only be allowed to upload textures that are appropriate for a "PG" area. We will be monitoring uploads to make sure that there is no inappropriate or offensive content uploaded into teen accounts or transferred to other teens on the grid.

Land and Economy
Teens will be able to purchase land on the Teen Grid for Linden currency. Their accounts will have limits so if they purchase land requiring a tier increase we will send a notice to the person who holds the credit card on the account to make sure they agree to the monthly payments.

Initially there will be no object exchange or sales between the two grids. The amount of Linden currency in the teen grid will grow with the population, as it does in the main grid. We will monitor the economy to ensure that the currency in circulation between the two grids doesn't get out of balance.

Adults
Other than Linden staff, the only adults allowed access to the Teen Grid will be vetted by Linden Lab. We anticipate that teachers or parents may want to enter the Teen Grid for short periods of time for special events or classes. These adults will be pre-screened and while in the Grid will be part of a group that identifies them as an approved adult. If a teen believes they have met someone who is an adult who hasn't been approved they will be able to notify a Linden immediately.