Question 1

What is BalanceBoard?

Accepted Answer

BalanceBoard is a free web app for middle and high school students that combines academic task management with mental health and wellness tracking. It syncs with Google Classroom to automatically import assignments, uses AI to detect stress and help manage workload, and provides anonymous community features (Vent Rooms, Study Pods, Peer Support Forum) so students can connect without social pressure.

Question 2

Is BalanceBoard safe for teens?

Accepted Answer

Yes. BalanceBoard is designed with teen safety as its core priority. All community features use anonymous generated usernames. Vent Room messages auto-delete after 24 hours. The AI is hard-coded to refuse homework assistance and forbidden from romantic/relationship conversations. The platform complies with COPPA (13+ requirement), FERPA, and follows Safe Messaging Guidelines on suicide and self-harm. We do not sell student data or use it for advertising.

Question 3

Does BalanceBoard access Google Classroom grades?

Accepted Answer

No. BalanceBoard only reads your enrolled course names, assignment titles, due dates, and submission status (turned in or not). It uses read-only API scopes and cannot access the content of submitted work, actual grades, or make any changes to your Google account.

Question 4

Is BalanceBoard a mental health app?

Accepted Answer

BalanceBoard is a student wellness and organizational tool, not a clinical mental health treatment platform. It helps students track their stress, sleep, and mood over time and provides general wellness suggestions. It is not therapy, does not provide medical diagnoses, and is not a substitute for professional mental health care. For crisis support, students should contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

Question 5

Can teachers or parents see a student's BalanceBoard data?

Accepted Answer

No. By default, only the student can see their own data — including wellness check-ins, AI conversations, tasks, and anonymous community posts. Teachers have no access. Parents have no access by default. A future optional counselor feature will allow licensed school counselors to view a wellness summary only with the student's explicit, revocable consent.

Question 6

What AI does BalanceBoard use?

Accepted Answer

BalanceBoard uses Anthropic's Claude (claude-3.5-sonnet and claude-3-haiku) for its AI Buddy and AI Wellness Coach. The AI helps manage tasks through natural language, detects stress signals, and provides wellness habit suggestions. It has strict guardrails: it will not do homework, won't engage in forbidden topics (politics, dating advice, medical diagnoses), and always redirects users in crisis to professional resources.

Question 7

How do I delete my BalanceBoard account?

Accepted Answer

Go to Settings → Delete Account within the app, or email support@balanceboard.app with subject 'Data Deletion Request.' All personal data is purged within 30 days. You can also visit balanceboard.app/data-deletion for step-by-step instructions.

Question 8

What is the minimum age for BalanceBoard?

Accepted Answer

BalanceBoard requires users to be at least 13 years old, in compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). We do not knowingly collect data from children under 13.

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