{"id":161396,"date":"2022-01-31T21:22:59","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T02:22:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/?page_id=161396"},"modified":"2022-12-02T07:54:30","modified_gmt":"2022-12-02T12:54:30","slug":"bbu-e-buddies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/bbu\/e-buddies\/","title":{"rendered":"BBU &#8211; e-Buddies"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h1>e-Buddies<\/h1>\n<p>e-Buddies creates social inclusion and friendships for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in a virtual space.<\/p>\n<p>e-Buddies is more than a one-to-one friendship with someone in a different state or even country. e-Buddies members can attend virtual social events and participate in our e-Buddies social platform that expands friendships and creates shared experiences.<\/p>\n<p>If you are involved in another Best Buddies program, you can also join e-Buddies!\u00a0 Fill out the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/forms.bestbuddies.org\/4903739\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">e-Buddies application<\/a><\/strong> to get started.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Developing Friendships in a Virtual Space<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n<h3>Participating in the larger e-Buddies Community<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Attending e-Buddies virtual events and engaging in the e-Buddies Community platform is a great way to continue to develop friendships virtually. In these spaces, you can interact with other e-Buddies through discussion posts, Q&amp;As, and interest groups as well as fun events like trivia and movie nights.\n<ul>\n<li>Interact with others on e-Buddies Community! You can do this by responding to a poll question, liking, or responding to someone\u2019s comment, joining interest groups, and more.<\/li>\n<li>During virtual events, start conversations, answer questions, or ask the group a question by unmuting or talking in the chat. Some of the best conversations during virtual events start with a question from one of you! Review the \u201cSuggested Conversations Starters\u201d section for ideas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Starting a Conversation<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>As with any conversation, asking\u00a0open-ended questions is a great place to start.\u00a0 Some e-Buddies might still give one-word answers and may need a bit more prompting to elaborate.\u00a0 Ask follow-up questions to continue the conversation.<\/li>\n<li>Most importantly, be patient and confident-remember that there is more to conversation then words.\u00a0\u00a0Our e-Buddies have wonderful things that they want to communicate and with time and a little patience, you will get to know all about your friend.\u00a0\u00a0Just remember to relax and enjoy the experience!<\/li>\n<li>It is very important that you set boundaries.\u00a0 Sometimes you might have more time and are available for frequent conversations, and other times, not.\u00a0 Let your e-Buddy know whether you are available and best times to communicate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Suggested Conversation Starter Topics<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<ul>\n<li>Can you tell me about your family?<\/li>\n<li>How do you spend your free time?<\/li>\n<li>What do you normally do during the week?<\/li>\n<li>What is a dream you have for your life?<\/li>\n<li>What makes you\u00a0laugh?<\/li>\n<li>What is it like where you live? Weather?\u00a0 Landscape?<\/li>\n<li>What is your favorite season?<\/li>\n<li>Do you play any sports?<\/li>\n<li>What country do you want to visit the most?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text]\n<ul>\n<li>What is your favorite\u2026&#8230;?\n<ul>\n<li>Food<\/li>\n<li>Movie<\/li>\n<li>Singer\/band<\/li>\n<li>TV Show<\/li>\n<li>Book<\/li>\n<li>Animal<\/li>\n<li>Restaurant<\/li>\n<li>Memory<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n<h2>Online Etiquette and Safety<\/h2>\n<p>Below are important\u00a0guidelines\u00a0for you and your e-Buddy to follow when you are communicating with one another.\u00a0\u00a0Taking these steps\u00a0will\u00a0help to ensure that you both are enjoying your e-Buddies experience and that you continue to remain safe.<\/p>\n<h3>Be Respectful<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Treat\u00a0your e-Buddy\u00a0the same way that you would want to be treated-with kindness and respect<\/li>\n<li>Do not use offensive language<\/li>\n<li>Be responsive\n<ul>\n<li>Your e-Buddy has taken the time to communicate with you.\u00a0\u00a0 Make sure that you respond in a timely manner and do not limit your response to just a couple of words.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Respect your e-Buddy\u2019s time\n<ul>\n<li>Understand that your e-Buddy might not be able to communicate with you every day or continuously throughout the day.\u00a0\u00a0 Do not send them multiple messages in one day if they do not respond.\u00a0 Take a breath and be patient.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Set Boundaries<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>You do NOT need to answer a question that makes you feel uncomfortable.\n<ul>\n<li>Tell your e-Buddy if you are uncomfortable with that topic and suggest a new topic to chat about<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Make sure your e-Buddy is aware that you can only communicate during certain times of the day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Be Safe<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Only share your personal information, like phone number &amp; social media profiles, once you are both ready.\n<ul>\n<li>You are NOT obligated to share this information.<\/li>\n<li>It is up to you and your e-Buddy to decide how much to share<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>If you ever feel that the conversation or atmosphere is inappropriate or uncomfortable in any way, leave the situation immediately\n<ul>\n<li>Discuss with your parent\/guardian and contact <strong><a href=\"mailto:ebuddies@bestbuddies.org\">ebuddies@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Make smart decisions about internet safety!\n<ul>\n<li>Parents\/Guardians\u00a0should\u00a0review the fundamental rules of online safety\u00a0with their e-Buddies participant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Be Online-Aware\n<ul>\n<li>Don\u2019t open an email from someone you don\u2019t know<\/li>\n<li>Don\u2019t respond to hurtful, insulting or bullying messages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Reach out to\u00a0<strong><a href=\"mailto:ebuddies@bestbuddies.org\">ebuddies@bestbuddies.org<\/a><\/strong> if you are uncomfortable with anything regarding your e-Buddies friendship or if you have any questions\/concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=&#8221;yes&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#5a3f98&#8243;][vc_column]<div class=\"shortcode-wrapper shortcode-spacer clearfix\"><div class=\"spacer\" style=\"height:32px;\"><\/div><\/div>[vc_column_text]\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff\">Related Documents<\/span><\/h1>\n[\/vc_column_text]<div class=\"shortcode-wrapper shortcode-spacer clearfix\"><div class=\"spacer\" style=\"height:32px;\"><\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1643681406581{margin-top: -45px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_raw_html]JTNDY2VudGVyJTNFJTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJhcnJvdy1kb3duLXB1cnBsZSUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRmRpdiUzRSUzQyUyRmNlbnRlciUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_id=&#8221;cta_one&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/BBI-e-Buddies-FAQ.pdf\">e-Buddies FAQ<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/e-Buddies-Online-Etiquette.pdf\">Online Etiquette<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/e-Buddies-Platform-Guidelines.pdf\">Platform Guidelines<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bestbuddies.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/e-Buddies-Developing-Friendships-in-a-Virtual-Space.pdf\">Developing Friendships in a Virtual Space<\/a><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=&#8221;yes&#8221; 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