Have you joined HeartKids Connect yet?
HeartKids Connect is a free, safe and secure online community specifically for Australians impacted by childhood-onset heart disease (CoHD).
With more than 250,000 Australians impacted by CoHD, we know there is a significant need for connection, information sharing and peer support – and online spaces can help fill that need, for rural, regional and urban Australians alike.
We’ve designed HeartKids Connect to be the dedicated Australian space for Australians impacted by CoHD looking for online connection, while addressing some of the issues with conventional social media platforms.
Here’s what we’ve focused on while building HeartKids Connect:
Security and privacy
To ensure a safe space where users feel comfortable sharing, privacy and security have been built into HeartKids Connect from the very beginning. We keep you and your information safe by:
- Vetting all new users before providing access, to ensure people are genuine members of the CoHD community
- Keeping your data secure and never sharing it with third-parties
- Making a commitment to not allow advertising or marketing messages from external organisations
Active moderation
We encourage respectful conduct within the HeartKids Connect community by taking an active approach to moderation, including:
- A comprehensive list of ‘block’ words, that will flag any posts containing words we identify as abusive, derogatory or harmful
- Community Rules, which all members are expected to adhere
- A zero-tolerance approach to aggressive or otherwise harmful behaviour
Dedicated groups to meet you in your journey
While CoHD is what unites our community, we know that your lived experience can differ widely, depending on your connection to CoHD.
HeartKids Connect helps you find people who understand your unique experiences, with exclusive communities for:
- Heart adults
- Parents and carers
- Teens
- Bereaved families
- Participants in HeartKids’ programs, including our Better Starts and Better Beginnings programs
While users can connect with all members in the central community, these specific, niche communities help you find people who truly understand you and your journey.
Exclusive content
As the HeartKids Connect community continues to grow, we plan to use the platform to share knowledge and lead important discussions. Participants in our new Early Childhood Intervention programs already have access to exclusive communities where they can chat with other participants, and over the coming months we plan to add:
- Post-event discussion threads
- ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions with CoHD experts
- Early access to content and event registration
Becoming a member of HeartKids Connect is easy – simply head to https://www.heartkids.org.au/support/online-community/ to start the registration process.