For Parents
We understand that entrusting your child to a website online to "follow their passion" isn't exactly the most unsuspicious thing ever. Below are some guidelines and practices we set to ensure your child has a safe and enriching experience with the International Youth Composers Society.
What You Should Know
IYCSY was created by two student musicians who recognized that many young musicians struggle to develop because of a lack of available resources. We work hard to make sure accessibility and participation are not overshadowed by unsafe environments, shady websites, or whatever else comes to mind.
Everything is Free
All IYCSY materials and services are 100% free. That has not and will not change. No payment is ever required, and students can explore at their own pace without signing up or logging in.
Personal Information
Students can browse and download anonymously. We don't track or require identifying details unless required for personalized feedback or participation in group sessions with other minors.
This is Optional
Should a student want to (unfortunately) quit their pursuit of music composition, they can do so hassle-free. We won't "hunt them down" and force them to "unsubscribe from emails" or the like.
Multilingual Access Matters
You're reading this in one of several languages, either original or translated. In any case, we ensure that all our materials are translated so that students can learn in a language that works for them.
What You Should Do
Even amidst all the procedures we put in place, responsibility ultimately falls on you to keep your child safe on the internet. We cannot, and do not, guarantee full safety due to the nature of the Internet. Below are practices we recommend you institute with your child to ensure safe usage of the Internet.
Set Online Boundaries
Clear rules about what types of information are okay to share online should be established. Make sure your child understands that asking questions is always better than guessing.
Supervision is Necessary
If your child submits music or joins a virtual session, consider using a family email address or one that you can monitor, allowing you to stay informed and filter communications as needed.
This is Optional
Review the sites resources, templates, or blog posts with your child first—not just for safety, but to support and encourage their learning. It's a way to keep up with what your child is involved with.
Promote Digital Citizenship
Remind your child that online communities still deserve respect, patience, and kindness. Encourage them to ask for help when confused, and to apply the Golden Rule in all scenarios.