YPT Communication Guidelines 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A Scout leader wants to text a youth member about an upcoming campout. What is the correct approach under BSA digital communication guidelines?
- Text the youth directly and copy no one else
- Text the youth and copy at least one parent or guardian (Correct answer)
- Only call the youth's parent to relay all messages
- Post all communications publicly on social media
Correct answer: Text the youth and copy at least one parent or guardian
All digital communications with youth must include a parent or guardian in copy to maintain transparency and two-deep accountability.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of an APPROPRIATE communication channel between an adult leader and a Scout?
- A private direct message on Instagram
- An email sent only to the Scout's personal account
- A group text that includes the Scout's parent and another leader (Correct answer)
- A phone call made after 10 PM on a school night
Correct answer: A group text that includes the Scout's parent and another leader
Group communications that include parents and additional leaders align with the two-deep and open-communication principles of YPT.
Question 3: A parent asks why leaders cannot communicate privately with their child even with the parent's permission. What is the best explanation?
- BSA policy requires consistency for all youth regardless of individual parental consent (Correct answer)
- Private communication is allowed if the parent signs a waiver
- Leaders may communicate privately once the Scout turns 16
- It is only a recommendation, not a requirement
Correct answer: BSA policy requires consistency for all youth regardless of individual parental consent
YPT policies apply uniformly to protect all youth, and individual parental permission cannot override organizational safeguarding standards.
Question 4: An adult leader receives a private social media friend request from a youth member. What should the leader do?
- Accept the request to stay connected with Scouts
- Decline the request and inform the youth it violates YPT policy (Correct answer)
- Ignore the request without any follow-up
- Accept only if the parent also sends a friend request
Correct answer: Decline the request and inform the youth it violates YPT policy
Leaders should decline private social media connections with youth and use the opportunity to explain the YPT guideline behind the decision.
Question 5: Which communication practice best supports the 'two-deep leadership' principle in digital settings?
- Using encrypted one-on-one messaging apps
- Creating a closed group chat that includes leaders, Scouts, and parents (Correct answer)
- Allowing leaders to use personal accounts if they have good intentions
- Restricting all communication to in-person meetings only
Correct answer: Creating a closed group chat that includes leaders, Scouts, and parents
A group chat that includes parents and multiple leaders mirrors the two-deep leadership principle in digital communications.
Question 6: When is it acceptable for a leader to send a private, one-on-one message to a youth member?
- When the message is about a sensitive personal topic
- When the parent is unreachable for an extended period
- It is never acceptable under YPT communication guidelines (Correct answer)
- When the Scout is 17 years old or older
Correct answer: It is never acceptable under YPT communication guidelines
YPT guidelines prohibit private one-on-one digital communication between adults and youth under any circumstance.
Question 7: A troop creates an official Facebook group for announcements. Which setting best aligns with YPT communication guidelines?
- Secret group visible only to adult leaders
- Closed group where only admins post but all members can see
- Public group open to anyone on the internet
- Private group where youth and parents are members and posts are visible to all members (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Private group where youth and parents are members and posts are visible to all members
A private group where both parents and youth are members ensures open, transparent communication consistent with YPT standards.
YPT Communication Guidelines 2
A Scout leader wants to text a youth member about an upcoming campout.
What is the correct approach under BSA digital communication guidelines?