Safety

Our Commitment to Safety

At StudentMower Network, we take safety seriously—both online and offline. Our platform is designed to facilitate safe initial contact between homeowners and students, while providing tools and guidelines to help protect all users.

Online Safety Measures

Spam Prevention

We actively work to prevent spam and protect our community:

• Verified Contact System: Our messaging platform requires users to provide contact information before sending messages, helping to reduce anonymous spam.
• Rate Limiting: We implement rate limits on messages and contact attempts to prevent abuse.
• Automated Monitoring: Our systems monitor for suspicious activity patterns and flag potential spam or fraudulent behavior.
• User Reporting: Users can report spam, inappropriate content, or suspicious behavior directly through our platform.
• Account Verification: While we don't perform background checks, we verify basic account information to ensure legitimate users.

Privacy Protection

We protect user privacy through:

• No Tracking: We do not track users across the web or use third-party tracking tools.
• Limited Profile Information: Students control what information appears on their profiles—they only share what they're comfortable with.
• Secure Messaging: Initial contact happens through our platform, allowing users to communicate without sharing personal contact information until they're ready.
• Data Minimization: We only collect information necessary for the platform to function.

Offline Safety Guidelines

While we facilitate initial contact, your safety during in-person meetings is your responsibility. We strongly recommend:

For Homeowners

• Meet in Public First: For initial meetings, consider meeting in a public place or having someone else present.
• Verify Identity: Ask to see identification and verify the student matches their profile.
• Check References: Ask for references from previous clients if available.
• Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, don't proceed with the engagement.
• Share Your Plans: Let a friend or family member know when and where you're meeting a student.
• Start Small: Consider starting with a smaller job to assess reliability before committing to larger projects.

For Students

• Meet in Safe Locations: For initial meetings, suggest public places or locations where you feel comfortable.
• Bring a Friend: Consider bringing a parent, guardian, or friend to initial meetings.
• Share Your Location: Let someone know where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Trust Your Instincts: If a situation feels unsafe, leave immediately.
• Set Boundaries: Clearly communicate your availability, services, and limitations upfront.
• Document Agreements: Consider documenting service agreements, pricing, and expectations in writing.

Reporting Safety Concerns

If you encounter any safety concerns, inappropriate behavior, or suspicious activity:

• Report Through the Platform: Use our reporting features to flag concerning behavior.
• Contact Support: Reach out to our support team at safety@studentmower.com
• Contact Authorities: For emergencies or illegal activity, contact local law enforcement immediately (911).
• Block Users: You can block users who make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

Important Limitations

Resources

• Legal Disclaimer - Complete information about our platform's limitations
• Terms of Service - Platform rules and user responsibilities
• Community Guidelines - Expected behavior and community standards
• Privacy Policy - How we handle your personal information

Contact Us

For safety-related questions or concerns, please contact us at:

Email: safety@studentmower.com
Address: StudentMower Network, Indianapolis, IN