Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to ParentPeers. These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you and ParentPeers ("Company," "we," "us," or "our") governing your access to and use of our website, mobile applications, and services (collectively, the "Services").

By creating an account, accessing, or using our Services, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Services.

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes by posting the updated Terms on our website and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of the Services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. Description of Services

ParentPeers is a platform that connects parents and caregivers ("Seekers") with experienced parent guides ("Guides") who have firsthand experience raising children with specific conditions such as autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, and others.

Our Services include:

• A marketplace for Seekers to find and book sessions with Guides
• Video call functionality for conducting sessions
• Messaging between Seekers and Guides
• Payment processing for bookings
• Review and rating systems
• Email notifications as described in Section 4.4

Important Disclaimer: ParentPeers is a peer support platform. Guides are parents sharing their personal experiences, NOT licensed medical professionals, therapists, or counselors. The information and support provided through our platform should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers for medical decisions concerning your child.

3. Eligibility

To use ParentPeers, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be legally capable of entering into a binding contract
• Not be prohibited from using the Services under applicable law
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Not have been previously banned from using our Services

By using the Services, you represent and warrant that you meet all eligibility requirements.

4. User Accounts

4.1 Account Creation

To access certain features, you must create an account. You may register using your email address or through Google Sign-In. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Keep your password secure and confidential
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account

4.2 Account Types

Seeker Account: For parents and caregivers seeking guidance and support.

Guide Account: For parents who want to share their experience and help others. Guide accounts require verification and approval before becoming active.

4.3 Account Termination

You may delete your account at any time through your account settings. We may suspend or terminate your account if you violate these Terms, engage in harmful behavior, or for any other reason at our discretion with or without notice.

4.4 Email Communications

By creating an account, you agree to receive the following email communications as part of the Services:

• Account emails: Email verification, password resets, and account security notices
• Booking emails: Booking confirmations, reminders, cancellations, and status updates
• Match notifications: Alerts when a guide matching your search preferences becomes available
• Application updates: Status updates on guide applications (approval, rejection)

These emails are essential to the operation of the Services and are sent under the legal basis of contract performance. You may stop receiving all emails by deleting your account.

5. Guide Requirements and Responsibilities

5.1 Application and Verification

To become a Guide, you must:

• Submit a complete application including your experience with relevant conditions
• Provide accurate information about your background and expertise
• Pass our verification process
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date profile information

5.2 Guide Conduct

As a Guide, you agree to:

• Provide honest, good-faith peer support based on your personal experience
• Never represent yourself as a licensed professional unless you are one
• Clearly communicate that you are providing peer support, not professional advice
• Respond to booking requests within 48 hours
• Honor confirmed bookings or cancel with appropriate notice
• Maintain a professional and respectful demeanor
• Protect the privacy of Seekers and their families
• Not solicit Seekers for services outside of ParentPeers

5.3 No-Show Policy

Guides who fail to attend confirmed sessions ("no-shows") may face penalties including:

• Reduced visibility in search results
• Warnings or account suspension
• Termination of Guide status for repeated violations

5.4 Guide Representations

As a Guide, you represent and warrant that:

• All information in your profile is truthful and accurate
• You have genuine personal experience with the conditions you list
• You will not provide medical, legal, or professional advice
• You understand you are an independent contractor, not an employee of ParentPeers

6. Seeker Responsibilities

As a Seeker, you agree to:

• Use the Services for legitimate peer support purposes
• Treat Guides with respect and professionalism
• Provide accurate booking information
• Attend scheduled sessions or cancel with appropriate notice
• Understand that Guides provide peer support, not professional advice
• Not record sessions without the Guide's explicit consent
• Pay for services as agreed

7. Bookings and Sessions

7.1 Booking Process

• Seekers select a Guide, time slot, and session duration
• Payment is authorized at the time of booking
• Guides have 48 hours to confirm or decline the booking
• Payment is captured only after the Guide confirms
• If the Guide does not respond within 48 hours, the booking is automatically cancelled and refunded

7.2 Session Conduct

• Sessions are conducted via video call through our platform
• Both parties should join at the scheduled time
• Sessions are NOT recorded by ParentPeers
• Recording sessions without consent is prohibited

7.3 Cancellation Policy

8. Payments and Fees

8.1 Pricing

Guides set their own hourly rates. All prices are displayed in US dollars and include our platform fee.

8.2 Platform Fee

ParentPeers charges a 20% platform fee on all transactions. This fee is deducted from the Guide's earnings and covers payment processing, platform maintenance, and support services.

8.3 Payment Processing

• All payments are processed securely through Stripe
• We accept major credit and debit cards
• Payment is authorized at booking and captured upon confirmation
• Guides receive payouts to their connected Stripe account

8.4 Guide Payouts

Guides must set up a Stripe Connect account to receive payments. Payouts are processed according to Stripe's standard payout schedule. ParentPeers is not responsible for delays caused by Stripe or the Guide's bank.

8.5 Taxes

Guides are responsible for reporting and paying all applicable taxes on their earnings. ParentPeers may provide tax documentation as required by law but does not provide tax advice.

9. Prohibited Conduct

You agree NOT to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Provide false or misleading information
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Share inappropriate, offensive, or harmful content
• Attempt to circumvent the platform to avoid fees
• Solicit users for services outside ParentPeers
• Share personal contact information to bypass the platform
• Use automated tools to access or interact with the Services
• Interfere with the operation of the Services
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Services
• Collect personal information of other users without consent
• Use the Services for any illegal purpose
• Post or transmit viruses or malicious code
• Provide medical, legal, or professional advice (unless properly licensed)

10. Content and Intellectual Property

10.1 User Content

You retain ownership of content you submit to the Services (profile information, messages, reviews, videos). By submitting content, you grant ParentPeers a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content in connection with the Services.

10.2 Platform Content

The Services and their original content (excluding user content), features, and functionality are owned by ParentPeers and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

10.3 Feedback

Any feedback, suggestions, or ideas you provide about the Services may be used by us without any obligation to compensate you.

11. Reviews and Ratings

• Seekers may leave reviews and ratings after completed sessions
• Reviews must be honest and based on actual experience
• Reviews must not contain personal attacks, harassment, or false statements
• We may remove reviews that violate our guidelines
• Guides may not offer incentives for positive reviews
• Manipulation of ratings is strictly prohibited

12. Reporting and Disputes

12.1 Reporting Violations

If you believe another user has violated these Terms, you may report them through our platform. We will review all reports and take appropriate action, which may include warnings, suspension, or account termination.

12.2 Dispute Resolution

For disputes between Seekers and Guides (e.g., session quality, no-shows), please contact our support team. We will review the situation and may offer refunds or other remedies at our discretion.

12.3 Chargebacks

Before initiating a chargeback with your bank or credit card company, please contact our support team. Fraudulent chargebacks may result in account termination.

13. Disclaimers

13.1 No Professional Advice

PARENTGUIDE IS A PEER SUPPORT PLATFORM. THE SERVICES AND CONTENT PROVIDED BY GUIDES ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND PEER SUPPORT PURPOSES ONLY AND DO NOT CONSTITUTE MEDICAL, THERAPEUTIC, LEGAL, OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FOR ANY MEDICAL CONCERNS.

13.2 Service Provided "As Is"

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR COURSE OF PERFORMANCE.

13.3 No Guarantee

We do not guarantee that:

• The Services will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free
• Results from using the Services will be accurate or reliable
• Any errors will be corrected
• The quality of any service or information will meet your expectations

13.4 Third-Party Services

Our Services integrate with third-party services (Stripe, Daily.co, Google). We are not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or policies of these third-party services.

14. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, PARENTGUIDE AND ITS OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR:

• ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES
• ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, USE, GOODWILL, OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES
• DAMAGES RESULTING FROM YOUR ACCESS TO OR USE OF (OR INABILITY TO ACCESS OR USE) THE SERVICES
• DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY CONDUCT OR CONTENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ON THE SERVICES
• DAMAGES RESULTING FROM UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, USE, OR ALTERATION OF YOUR CONTENT

IN NO EVENT SHALL OUR TOTAL LIABILITY EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO PARENTGUIDE IN THE TWELVE (12) MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CLAIM, OR (B) ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($100).

SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN DAMAGES, SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

15. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless ParentPeers and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use of the Services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another person or entity
• Your content or conduct on the Services
• Any claim that your content caused damage to a third party

16. Independent Contractors

Guides are independent contractors, not employees, agents, or partners of ParentPeers. Nothing in these Terms creates an employment, agency, joint venture, or partnership relationship between Guides and ParentPeers. Guides are solely responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and compliance with applicable laws.

17. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

17.1 Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

17.2 Arbitration

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Services shall be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitration shall be conducted in Delaware. You agree to waive your right to a jury trial and to participate in class action lawsuits.

17.3 Exceptions

Either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights.

18. General Provisions

18.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and ParentPeers regarding the Services.

18.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

18.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms will not be considered a waiver of those rights.

18.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.

18.5 Notice

We may provide notices to you via email, posting on the Services, or other reasonable means. You may provide notice to us by email at support@parentpeers.com.

19. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us: