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Web-Surfing Tips

American Girl, Inc., supports the idea that the Web is a world full of information, a great place to explore, and a valuable teaching tool for everyone, including children. But limits and guidelines are a good idea. It is American Girl's intention, with its Web site, to adhere to the guidelines created by the Children's Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of the Better Business Bureau. All American Girl marketing efforts, including this Web site, are closely monitored to abide by these guidelines. While we make every effort to make your child's visit safe and enjoyable, we encourage you to monitor your child's online use and to help us protect children's privacy by instructing them never to provide personal information on this site or any other without your permission.

Safe-Surfing Rules for Children

1. Never give out the following information to anyone you meet on the Internet or on an online bulletin board:
   • full name
   • phone number
   • date of birth
   • Social Security number
   • address
   • name of your school
2. You cannot be sure who will read this information, and you can't be assured that this information won't be posted somewhere. Whenever you can, use a screen name. We encourage you to do so.
3. If you ever see something on the Internet that makes you uncomfortable, tell your parents or teacher right away.
4. Never agree to meet in person someone you've met online unless you check with a parent first. If your parents agree that you can meet someone, do it in a public place and bring a parent along.
5. Before you explore a link that takes you away from any site you're visiting, check with your parents to make sure it's OK to explore that link.

Advice for Parents

1. Make sure your child understands the rules for safe surfing.
2. Set some ground rules for your child's online use, including:
   • appropriate sites to visit
   • how often she or he can use the Internet
   • the time of day she or he should surf
3. Whenever possible, explore the Internet together with your child.

A Few Notes About The American Girl Web Site

Links Outside the Fun for Girls portion of the American Girl Web Site
As you browse the American Girl Web site, you will notice that it does not provide links to other sites beyond its domain name. This is because we cannot guarantee that the content of other sites is safe. The one exception to this policy is American Girl's link to free downloadable plug-ins for browsers that will allow users to better experience some of the Site's features. We encourage children to ask parents before executing any downloads, and we encourage parents to assist children with any downloads. For a more detailed explanation, please see the Online Tips pages.

Linking to the American Girl Web Site
If you want to link to the American Girl Web site, a parent or adult should first contact im_cs@americangirl.com before creating that link so the Site may be previewed. American Girl does not allow the unauthorized use of logos, trademarks, or other graphics to create links. Text links are permitted upon approval and must be made to the site home page at http://www.americangirl.com rather than to any other specific pages within the site. Please see the Terms and Conditions statement for more detail.

General Fan E-mail to the American Girl Web Site
American Girl loves to hear from its readers. However, there are some guidelines all visitors should follow.

• Use the e-mail form provided on the Site to direct messages.
• Do not forward chain letters to our Site e-mail address.
• Do not use inappropriate language in messages. There are real people receiving your message who read every word you write. They'd rather not read something unpleasant or inappropriate.

Information Posted on the American Girl Web Site
All information from children posted on the American Girl Web site is edited by an American Girl employee. References to specific personal information that might make a user identifiable are removed. Examples of specific personal information include but are not limited to last name, city, friends' or relatives' names, and school name. If you or your child feels more comfortable using a screen name for responses to department solicitations on the Site, please feel free to do so. We encourage you and your family to take whatever measures you believe are necessary to ensure your safety.

Advertising on the American Girl Web Site
The American Girl Web site does contain some photographs of products that are available for sale through the American Girl catalogue. It does not include advertisements from any other companies.