FAQs

We want to help! If you don’t see your question, please email us at info@cynja.com

FAQ Topics:

App General
Login and Registration
Identity Manager
Parent Dashboard
Child Settings
Child Dashboard

• What is CynjaSpace?

  The revolutionary internet security iPad app that combines the safety, controls and activity reports parents need, while allowing kids the fun and freedom of using the web and chatting with friends. Feel safe knowing that your children are in a secure, private space, supervised by you, with the help of the security professionals at CynjaSpace. CynjaSpace offers:

  * Secure Family Chat
  
  * Kid-Safe Filtered Web
  
  * Cyberpower education for kids
  

  You’ll get all of this, plus new Cynja comics published every month!

• Why should I use CynjaSpace?

  CynjaSpace allows your children to use the internet as safely as possible while learning what it means to be a good digital citizen. Our app provides you, the parent or guardian with the means to not only know and control what your kids are doing online, but you will know who they are chatting with and what activities they are using. Our system empowers the parents and secures the kids, all while keeping the power of the internet readily available to everyone.

• What makes CynjaSpace different?

  Other safety apps only focus on restricting your kids rather than teaching them to use the net wisely. Only in CynjaSpace can a child use technology that is built from top to bottom with your family’s security and privacy in mind. Our system uses a proprietary protocol combined with fully managed hosting to offer the most secure system any parent or child could hope for.

• How do I lock my child in CynjaSpace?

  You can ensure your child is protected within CynjaSpace and cannot exit without your permission by using the app with Apple Guided Access. For instructions, click here.

• Why do I want to lock my child in CynjaSpace?

  By keeping your child inside CynjaSpace’s protected universe, you can feel safe knowing that all web content is filtered, chats are monitored, and your family’s data is secure. Your child can’t go into other apps or be exposed to the hazards of the internet without getting your permission to exit CynjaSpace when you use the app along with Apple Guided Access. Click here for instructions. Guided Access

• Are you selling our data?

  No. Your data, chat content and internet logs are yours. We never sell your data to advertisers or anyone else.

• Why can’t people find our family to chat?

  Because CynjaSpace values your privacy, we don’t make a public directory that can be searched by anyone on the internet, whether for good or evil! To connect with friends, simply tell them about CynjaSpace with the Share Button inside the app, and connect with them directly by sharing your Cynja ID. This ensures that you can only be found by people you want to connect with. For more guidance:

  Watch our Connections Request Screencast

• What words do you filter?

  We filter over 6000 unique words and phrases to keep things clean for your children. While there is no way to filter every naughty phrase, or to stop clean words that can have naughty connotations, we welcome your ideas for things your family would like to see filtered. Simply use the Feedback button in the app.

• What websites do you filter?

  We filter thousands of websites and categories of websites known to have inappropriate content, or malicious intentions. The number grows every day. In the Blacklist section of your web controls, there is a list of many common websites that may not be appropriate for children. For the most control over your child’s web access, we suggest you assign them Levels 1 and 2 in CynjaSpace’s Web Control feature, as a parent or guardian will have the chance to approve or deny access to any website your child wishes to visit.

• Can adults use CynjaSpace too?

  Of course! There is no need to register children. Adults get all the functionality, privacy and protection that children get. It’s perfect for a secure web surfing experience, and for inexperienced internet users!

• Why am I limited to three children?

  We have to draw the line somewhere! Actually, we want to keep your family’s data private, and believe it or not, there are naughty people out there who might try to abuse the system and register a large group of people on the same account. If you are interested in using CynjaSpace for a large group of people, such as a scout troop, senior center or school, please contact us. info@thecynja.com [ENABLE EMAIL] We can help!

• Why do I have to put in a PIN?

  Your PIN is used to keep your child in the safe confines of his or her Cynja Dashboard. By requiring a parent PIN to exit the Dashboard, we ensure that your child can’t access the settings to change their permissions, or use another child’s account dashboard.

• What is Apple Guided Access?

  Guided Access is a feature of Apple’s iOS. By enabling it, you can restrict a user’s ability to enter or exit an app. For instructions on using CynjaSpace with Guided Access, click here.

• If I have to put in my PIN for my children to switch accounts, why use guided access?

  Even with Guided Access, your child could change their account settings or use another child’s account. Guided access ensures that even by pressing the iPad home button, your child will not be able to leave the protection of CynjaSpace. In short, the PIN keeps your child in their account Dashboard, Guided Access keeps your child inside CynjaSpace. The two work together to keep you safe!

• How do I log out completely?

  From the profile manager screen, tap the red button on the bottom left side of the screen. If you are using Guided Access, you will also need to triple-click the home button on your iPad and enter your four-digit code.

• Can I have multiple CynjaSpace accounts?

  No. Per the Terms and Conditions, by creating a CynjaSpace account, you agree to the “one person, one account” rule, which creates a personal cloud to store your personal data securely. If you require another account, a second individual must register separately.

• How do I lock my child in CynjaSpace?

  Use CynjaSpace along with Guided Access from Apple. Click here to see how easy it is! Guided Access

• Why do I want to lock my child in CynjaSpace?

  By using Guided Access to lock in CynjaSpace, you are making sure that your child has a completely safe, secure and private place to explore the web, learn and chat with friends. While you may want to use other apps, you probably want to know when your child exits the safety of CynjaSpace for the unknown that exist in the internet at large!

• Are you selling our data?

  No. Never. Nope. Not gonna do it. Ever.

• What if I forgot my Cynja ID?

  Please contact us at info@cynja.com to reset your account securely.

• What if I don’t have a mobile phone?

  Sorry, a mobile phone number is required for account verification and security.

• I accidentally deleted the text/ email codes. What do I do?

  In the registration screen, tap on the button to request new codes.

• Why is there an equals sign?

  The equal sign is an identifier attached to your Cynja ID that connects to your secure personal cloud. It’s how we make sure your get to own your own data because the equal sign tells the iPad and our servers that you are a person.

• What is personal cloud?

  A personal cloud is a private cloud owned and controlled by an individual. It serves as a safe place to store data that is owned and controlled by you. All your connections belong entirely to you, and along with your data they are available to all your private cloud apps without restriction. We are the first app using technology that recognizes you and your family as sovereign identities with ownership over your data. Other social media companies or kids apps do not offer this because they want to mine and exploit your data for financial gain. We believe kids deserve a digital life free of such practices.

• What is a Cynja ID?

  Your Cynja ID is your user id for CynjaSpace.

• What are the password constraints?

  Passwords must be 8-20 characters No spaces Must have at least 2 letters Must have at least 2 numbers Must have at least one capital letter Must have at least one special character such as @, #, $, !.

• Why can’t I use the £ or € special character in my password?

  Our system is designed to use U.S. currency as a special character.

• I am getting “This Cynja ID is not available” What does it mean?

  All Cynja IDs must be unique. Please choose one that is not already registered.

• What is one-person one account rule?

  Each person using our network must adhere to having one and only one personal cloud. That’s how we ensure that you can own your data and we can keep it safe.

• Why Email and phone number are required during registration?

  Email and Phone number are used to help validate that the account being registered is following the rule that one person can only have one account. A unique code is sent via email to the email address A unique code is sent via SMS to the phone number Each unique code must be provided to prove that you, and not a bot or an impostor, are in control of the provided email, phone and ultimately your account with us.

• How do I get to the Kids Dashboard?

  From the Identity Manager (the page with all of your family members), tap on the hexagon picture or avatar for the child whose Dashboard you want to access.

• Who is logged in?

  Only a parent is “logged in.” From the identity manager, the parent’s icon will appear on the top right side of the screen. When a child is using CynjaSpace in their account, that child’s screen name and picture appears in the top right of the screen.

• How do I get to chat with my kids from here?

  From the Identity Manager, tap your hexagon icon in the top right of the screen. This brings up your Parent Dashboard. From there, select Chat.

• How do I set up my child’s limitations?

  From the Identity Manager, tap the Settings gear wheel for the child whose settings you wish to change. From the Child Settings screen, select the type of limitation you’d like to change. You can limit certain activities, set time limits and more.

• Why is there an exclamation point?

  The exclamation point alerts you to a number of pending items. It could be a chat message, a request from your child to view a website, or a warning that your child received from our Cynsei that you need to review.

• How do I change my picture?

  Tap on the Settings Gear Wheel from inside your dashboard, and then click on Change Avatar. You can then choose from photos on your device, or a character from our Cynja comic series!

• How do I change my child’s picture?

  Tap on the Settings Gear Wheel in the Identity Manager screen for the child whose picture you wish to change. Then look to the top right of the screen and tap again on the smaller Settings Gear Wheel. Then click on Change Avatar.

• My child selected a picture but I don’t like it. What can I do?

  From the Identity Manager screen tap on the Settings Gear next to the parent picture. This takes you into your Account Settings. From there you may change your child’s picture.

• How do I add another child?

  From the Identity Manager, look near the bottom right of the screen, and you will see a silver icon with the words Add Child. Tap here. Please note that a CynjaSpace account allows for up to three children.

• Can another parent be on here? He/she is not a child?

  Soon we will be offering CynjaSpace with an option for two parents or guardians to be on one account! Until then, it is possible more than one parent can use the CyjaSpace account. If you feel comfortable sharing your login information with your spouse or parenting partner, he or she can log in and use the account. We suggest using a Display Name to show on the screen in place of your Cynja ID. Simply go to your settings by clicking on the Gear Wheel attached to your avatar. Then tap Change Details, and add a Display Name, like Mom and Dad, or Chase and Heather.

• How do I lock my child in CynjaSpace from here?

  First tap on the child’s hexagon avatar to enter their Dashboard. Then triple-click the home button of your iPad to enter Guided Access. For instructions on using Guided Access, click here.

• How can I change my PIN?

  From the Identity Manager screen tap on the Settings Gear next to the parent picture. This takes you into your Account Settings. From there you may change your PIN.

• How can I change my password?

  From the Identity Manager screen tap on the Settings Gear next to the parent picture. This takes you into your Account Settings. From there you may change your password.

• Why are There are no connections in my chat?

  All family members should appear in your chat screen. If you have not added children to your account yet, they will show up after you have successfully added them. For other contacts, CynjaSpace does not publish a directory of members that is available for search. We value your privacy and want you to only share your Cynja ID with those whom you trust. You can do this with the Share button on the Chat screen. Then wait for your friends and family to get their Cynja ID and approve your connection request.

• Why don’t I see sent messages when I click on Sent?

  The Sent screen is for connection requests that you’ve sent to other people. Your sent messages are available by scrolling up on the chat screen.

• What are blocked connections?

  Perhaps there is someone you’ve chatted with, but you find their chats inappropriate, either for you or your children. Or there is someone who has requested to connect with you and you have elected not to accept their request. These are blocked connections. Blocked connections maybe reversed without having to send a new invitation request.

• Why doesn’t CynjaSpace filter my parent chat?

  We believe that parents are being good role models for cyber-responsibility, and don’t need filtering. Nevertheless, you are free to chat as an adult, probably with other adults, using any dialogue you prefer. In short, we trust you!

• Why doesn’t CynjaSpace filter my web use?

  We believe that parents are being good role models for cyber-responsibility, and don’t need filtering. Nevertheless, you are free to surf the web as an adult and visit any website you prefer. In short, we trust you!

• Can I download the comics and books?

  The Cynja book series and comic strips are available to read within the Entertainment area the app. Our hardcover books can be purchased from Amazon, Amazon UK and Adafruit. Shop for Books

• Can I change my display name the way my child can?

  Yes. From the Identity Manager, tap your Gear Wheel in the upper right corner. Then tap it again from your Parent Dashboard. Tap on Change Details and enter a display name. For parents, you might want to type it as “Mom and Dad,” or “Heather and Chase.” Don’t forget to click Save on your way out!

• 
  My Cynja ID is long and complicated, can my name in the app be simple for my kids to read?

  Yes. From the Identity Manager, tap your Gear Wheel in the upper right corner. Then tap it again from your Parent Dashboard. Tap on Change Details and enter a display name. For parents, you might want to type it as “Mom and Dad,” or “Heather and Chase.” Don’t forget to click Save on your way out!

• How do I select which activities my child can access?

  Tap on the Gear Wheel next to your child’s name. Tap on the Activities hexagon tile. Add or remove a check mark next to each activity by tapping on the tile. Don’t forget to tap Save on your way out!

• Is there a way to transfer on child’s settings to my other children?

  No. Each child’s access must be set up individually. This allows you to customize the CynjaSpace experience based on each of your child’s needs.

• The Activity picker isn’t saving when I select or de-select activities.

  Don’t forget to click Save after making changes.

• Why is there an exclamation point on one of the tabs?

  This indicates that you have a new chat message, connection request, web request from a child, or that your child received a warning when navigating the tricky world of cyberspace. Tap the tile to see what information is waiting for you.

• How often can I request a new sticker reward?

  Once every 30 days.

• Why can’t I set the time of day for activities and also the daily time in CynjaSpace?

  We want you to be specific when setting limits for your children. You can add the time for each activity allowed during the day to effectively set a total daily time limit.

• Does the Daily Time limit override the individual settings for each activity?

  Yes.

• I took away an activity in the other screen, why is it still checked as available in the timer?

  If Daily Time Limit is selected, it may appear that the activity is available, but it is not. If you deselect Daily Time Limit, you will see that only the activities available to your child are available for you to adjust in the time of day setting.

• How do I copy timer settings to other days?

  Set the timer (either Time of Day, or Daily Time Limit) for any day of the week. At the bottom of the screen, tap Copy to Other Days. Select the days you wish to have the same settings. Tap Done, and don’t forget to tap SAVE on your way out!

• Why aren’t my timer settings being saved?

  Don’t forget to tap SAVE on your way out after making changes.

• What is the Wishlist?

  Wishlist is a list of people in CynjaSpace that your child would like to be able to chat with. Tapping the plus sign on a Wishlist member will send an email letting that person know that you or your child would like to securely chat with them inside CynjaSpace.

• How do I block a connection request my child received?

  Simply tap the “x” on the connection to block the connection.

• Do I have to delete the blocked users?

  Yes. To delete a connection for a child, tap on the Settings Gear for that child in the Identity Manager Screen. Tap on the Connections tile. Then app on the Blocked tab. Tap and hold the picture of the connection you would like to delete and drag it into the demolition cradle at the bottom of the screen. Then tap the hazard button to permanently remove the connection. You may not undo this action. This contact will be deleted for good. As a parent, you may delete contacts within your Parent Chat feature by first blocking the connection and then going into the blocked list to permanently delete the connection.

• How do I send a connection request to someone who I know is already using CynjaSpace?

  From the Chat window, tap on Add Cynja near the bottom of the left pane, and enter their Cynja ID in the popup window. They will then receive a request from you. Once they approve the request, you can chat!

• How do I send a connection request to someone who is not on CynjaSpace?

  From your Parent Dashboard, enter the Chat window. Tap on Connections on the top left of the screen, and Add Connection. Then enter the person’s email address, and tap Add. This will send an email to your potential connection, and once they approve you, it’s time to chat securely!

• Why can’t I search for users who are already on CynjaSpace?

  CynjaSpace values your privacy, so we don’t publish a searchable database of members. We don’t want you receiving requests from people you don’t know, and we want you to feel comfortable with each and every chat. Connect with people you know and trust by sending a connection request to them directly!

• How do I change the level of Web use for my child?

  In the Child’s Settings, tap on the Web Controls tile. If you haven’t already done so, tap and hold your child’s avatar from the top right of the screen, and drag it to the level you’d like to use. If you’ve already selected a web level and want to change it, simply drag and drop the avatar to the appropriate level.

• How do I know what websites are approved?

  In the Child Settings / Web Controls tile, click the tab at the top labeled Black & White List. The White List is a list of approved sites already set up to use in the child’s web screen. You can add or remove sites as you see fit.

• What is a Whitelist and a Blacklist?

  These are lists of approved (Whitelist) and blocked (Blacklist) websites. You can add or remove sites as you see fit. Many more sites are filtered than those you see on the Blacklist. If your child requests a website, it will automatically go to one of the two lists depending on whether you approve or deny the request.

• How do I know what websites are blocked?

  The Blacklist contains some websites we have blocked as examples. Many thousands more are filtered if your child has access to Level 3 Web Search. For Level 2, your child must request each website not already on the Whitelist, so you have the ability to control exactly what they see.

• Why is there such a small list of blocked websites?

  This is a sample of sites blocked. Level 1 Web users can only access Whitelist sites. Level 2 users must request websites before visiting them, so any you deny automatically go to the list of blocked sites. Level 3 users are blocked from the Blacklist sites, plus many thousands more through a filtered web search tool.

• The Black list has buttons marked Whitelist, and vice versa, what are they for?

  You can transfer sites back and forth between the two lists easily with these buttons.

• How do I add my own websites to the list of blocked sites.

  In the Blacklist side of the screen, simply type in the web address you want to block and click on Add.

• How do I add my own websites to the list of approved sites?

  In the Whitelist side of the screen, simply type in the web address you want to approve, and click on Add.

• Will approved sites I add show up in the web tiles on my child’s web page?

  Yes.

• If I approve or block my child’s web request, will it automatically go to a white or black list?

  Yes.

• How do I see who my child has been chatting with?

  From your child’s Settings page (tap on the Settings Gear Wheel from your Identity Manager home screen), tap on Warnings and Reports, then the Reports tab. Select the Chat tile to view chat history and reports.

• Can I read the actual chat messages my child sent and received?

  Yes. From your child’s Settings page (tap on the Settings Gear Wheel from your Identity Manager home screen), tap on Warnings and Reports, then the Reports tab. Select the Chat tile to view chat history and reports.

• How do I view a list of webpages my child visited?

  From your child’s Settings page (tap on the Settings Gear Wheel from your Identity Manager home screen), tap on Warnings and Reports, then the Reports tab. Select the Web tile to view your child’s web use.

• How do I know if my child did anything inappropriate if you are blocking them from doing it?

  From your child’s Settings page (tap on the Settings Gear Wheel from your Identity Manager home screen), tap on Warnings and Reports, then the Warnings tab. This is where you will see the things your child attempted to say in chat or view on the web that were corrected by the Cynsei master! Click on the category for a tip on how to talk to your child about the activity, and click on the activity to view a detailed report of what went wrong.

• How does my child change their picture?

  Have your child tap on the Settings Gear Wheel in the top right next to their name. Then tap on Change Avatar. Choose from pictures on your device, or some cool characters from the Cynja comic series.

• How can my child add their picture?

  Have your child tap on the Settings Gear Wheel in the top right next to their name. Then tap on Change Avatar.

• Why doesn’t my child’s display name show up in the main identity manager screen?

  As your children explore on their own, they may change their display name just to test their skills. We want you to know exactly which child you are managing via the Identity Manager, you know, just in case…kids will be kids!

• My child is set up for Level (1/2/3) web use. What can they do in each level?

  Level 1 Web users can only access Whitelist sites. Level 2 users must request websites before visiting them, so any you deny automatically go to the list of blocked sites. Level 3 users are blocked from the Blacklist sites, plus many thousands more through a filtered web search tool.

• What is the CyberPower meter?

  The CyberPower meter moves as your child explores on their own. Good behavior keeps them in the green, while questionable activity and mistakes move it toward the red. Eventually, if enough mistakes are made, the CyberPower Meter will lock the child out of CynjaSpace until you let them back in or after a 24 hour waiting period.

• Why does the CyberPower meter move?

  Any questionable activity and mistakes corrected by the Cynsei will move it toward the red. Eventually, if enough mistakes are made, the CyberPower Meter will lock the child out of CynjaSpace until you let them back in after a 24 hour waiting period.

• Why does it appear that my child can access some activities and not others?

  You have selected which activities your child may access. Check their settings in the Activities tile, and in the timer. Choosing specific times of day on the timer will lock out certain activities if you choose.

• Are the web search results filtered?

  Yes. We filter thousands of websites and categories of websites that may be inappropriate of have malicious intent.

• Can my child really type in any web address and go there?

  Sort of… A Level 3 Web user can type in a web address, and go there IF it is not a site that has been filtered. Parents should regularly monitor Level 3 Web users via the Reports section to check on their activities.

• Who can my child chat with?

  Your child may only request to chat with people. You must approve each connection after it is requested. All family members registered on one account are automatically connected.

• How do I block someone my child has been chatting with?

  In your Child Settings page, tap on Connections. Then choose the Approved tab. Click on the circle for the person you wish to block.

• How can my child search for their friends who use CynjaSpace?

  No. Because we value your privacy, and want you to have control over each connection your child makes, we don’t offer a search feature. Send a request to another parent who is using CynjaSpace and let them know your child wants to chat. You can do this from the Wishlist in the chat area, or with the Share button in the app.

• How can my child request to chat with other family and friends?

  If your child wishes to chat with family or friends who are not a part of CynjaSpace your child can put someone on their Wishlist from inside their Chat screen. You then go to their Settings page, on the Connections tab, and view the Wishlist to send an email to someone to download the app so your child can chat securely in CynjaSpace. If you know their Cynja ID, your can go ahead and enter it instead of sending the email. Good old fashioned conversation with friends works too! Just tell them to add you or your child by using your Cynja IDs!

• Can other people using CynjaSpace find my child or our family?

  Only by sending an email request. Or the old fashioned way – talking in person! We value your privacy and don’t want you getting unsolicited requests, so we don’t publish a list of users to search.

• How will I know if someone accepted my chat request?

  You will see an exclamation point on the Connections tile in your Settings, showing a pending connection. Go to the Requests tab to approve or block.

• What words do you block?

  We block over 6000 words and phrases. Of course some non-naughty words can be used in naughty ways, so always keep an eye on your child’s chat report!

• How can I add or remove words from your list of ones that are blocked?

  No, but we welcome suggestions for things your family has encountered that might be appropriate to add to the list. Please use the Feedback button. We look forward to hearing from you!

• What is a Dojo?

  It is a place of learning and growth. In our Dojo, kids and parents learn together about responsible and safe online practices.

• What activities can my child do in the Dojo?

  They can read about the basics of computer science and cyberspace. They can complete levels that involve comics, games and fun videos, all aimed at teaching them about computers, the internet and how to be good cyber-heroes!

• How can I download the books and comics so we can use them offline?

  The Cynja book series and comic strips are available to read within the Entertainment area the app. Ebooks are available for purchase on Amazon, iBooks, Kobo and GooglePlay. Our hardcover books can be purchased from Amazon, Amazon UK and Adafruit. Shop for Books