Community Guidelines

Last updated: [TODO: date of publication]

This is a translation for your convenience. Only the German version is legally binding: German version

The Book Exchange is a place for pupils to pass on school books to each other. These rules help everyone feel safe. They apply to listings, photos, display names and messages.

Be respectful

  • Be friendly and polite, also when you disagree.
  • No bullying, insults, threats, hate or discrimination, for example because of origin, religion, gender, sexuality or disability.
  • No sexual content, no violent content, nothing that could hurt or scare others.
  • Never ask anyone for photos, personal information or to meet outside the handover.

Be honest

  • Only offer real school books that belong to you (see Terms of Use).
  • Describe the condition honestly and use your own photos of the book. Do not show people or personal information in photos.
  • Ask fair prices. No spam, no advertising, no fake listings.
  • Keep to what you agreed. If you can't come to a handover, say so in time.

Stay safe

  • Meet for the handover at school, during the school day, in a place where other people are around.
  • Don't share your address, phone number or social media. The chat in the Book Exchange is enough.
  • Pay at the handover, or by transfer only once you have the book.
  • If something feels wrong, stop and talk to an adult you trust: a parent, a teacher or someone at school.

Automatic checks

Messages are checked automatically before they are shown. Messages that break these rules are blocked, and serious cases are passed to the moderators of your school. If you write that you are not feeling well, you will see where you can get help; that is not a punishment.

If you need help

Talk to someone you trust at school. You can also call 116 111, the free and confidential helpline for children and young people in many EU countries. In an emergency, call 112.

Report problems

Use the report button on a message, a conversation, a listing or a profile. Moderators of your school will look at it; urgent cases are passed on to an adult at your school straight away. See Reporting content for how it works.

What happens if someone breaks the rules

Depending on how serious it is, we block messages, hide listings, cancel reservations or block the account. We tell the person why, and they can object (see Reporting content).