Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: [[EFFECTIVE DATE]]
Getting started
How old do I have to be?
13 or older. We ask for your birthday when you set up your account.
Why do you need my birthday?
Two reasons: to check you're old enough to be here, and because some of our safety rules depend on age. [[⚠ The in-app FAQ currently says "only date and month are visible by your contacts". Confirm that this is actually enforced by firestore.rules before repeating the claim here — see DATA_INVENTORY.md §3.1.]]
What's a Boo ID?
Your unique handle, like boo_a1b2c3d4. It's how friends find and add you. You can turn off discoverability by ID or by QR code in your settings.
Can I change my username or email?
Yes — once every 90 days. The app will tell you when your next change is available.
BooFriend (peer support chats)
Who am I actually talking to?
Another Booniverse user who volunteered as a listener and completed our short in-app training. They are not a therapist, counsellor or medical professional. Please read the Medical Disclaimer.
Is my chat private?
Between you and the other person, yes — no one else in the app can read it.
But it isn't secret. Messages pass through automated safety systems, and if something is flagged or someone files a report, our safety team can review the conversation. We do this to keep people safe. Never assume a message is private between just the two of you.
Can I send photos?
No. BooFriend chats are text plus G-rated GIFs and stickers only. We removed image and voice uploads deliberately — they're the hardest thing to moderate safely for a teen audience.
Nobody's accepting my request.
Listeners are volunteers and availability varies. Try again later. If you're in crisis, don't wait — see the crisis resources in the app or in the Medical Disclaimer.
Someone was horrible to me.
Use Report & End in the chat. It files the report and ends the session at the same time, and that person won't be matched with you again. You can also block them.
How do I become a listener?
You need to be 18 or over, and complete the volunteer training in the app. You'll also need to follow the Code of Conduct.
Journals, Moon and Boo-Logy
Who can see my journal entries?
Only you, unless you turn on a toggle:
- Friend feed — your friends can see it.
- Public — anyone viewing your profile can see it.
- Both off — private to you.
What is a Moon reflection?
You answer a few questions and an AI generates a reflection based on what you wrote. Your answers are sent to OpenAI to produce it.
It's a prompt for thinking, not an assessment. It can be generic or plain wrong, and it is not advice.
Is Boo-Logy a real personality test?
No. It's for fun and self-reflection. It has no clinical validity and isn't a psychological assessment.
Mail-Bun and notes
Are anonymous posts really anonymous?
To the person who receives them, yes. They can't see who sent it.
To us, no. We keep a locked record linking each anonymous post to the account that sent it, so we can investigate harassment and abuse. If you use an anonymous post to hurt someone, we can identify you.
What's the difference between a note and an anonymous post?
A note goes to one person and shows who it's from. An anonymous post goes to one person without your name attached. Both cost BOO.
BOO and Boo+
What is BOO?
The in-app currency. You spend it on notes, anonymous posts, avatar items and Mail-Bun. It has no real-world value and can't be cashed out or transferred.
How do I get BOO?
A welcome bonus when you join, and top-ups purchased through the App Store or Google Play.
What is Boo+?
A subscription that waives BOO costs on notes and anonymous posts, unlocks some avatar items, and adds a badge to your name.
How do I cancel Boo+?
In your App Store or Google Play subscription settings — not in Booniverse. Deleting the app does not cancel it.
Can I get a refund?
Refunds are handled by Apple or Google, not by us, under their policies. Spent BOO isn't refundable.
Safety and account
How do I report someone?
Use the report option on the chat, post, comment or profile. For anything urgent or serious, also email support@booniverse.boo.
How do I block someone?
From their profile. Blocking survives unfriending — they can't send you friend requests or reach you.
I've been suspended and I think it's a mistake.
Email support@booniverse.boo with your Boo ID and what happened. We'll review it.
How do I delete my account?
Profile → About → Delete Account.
It removes your profile, journals, reflections, notes, anonymous posts, contacts, uploaded images and your sign-in. Forum posts, comments and chat messages have your name and content stripped out but stay in place, so other people's threads and conversations don't break.
We keep safety records and purchase records — see the Privacy Policy. Deleting won't lift a suspension or ban.
For security you'll need to have signed in recently. If it's been a while the app will ask you to sign in again first.
Someone I know is in danger. What do I do?
Contact your local emergency services. Booniverse is not an emergency service and cannot send help. Then report the conversation so our team sees it.
Still stuck?
Email support@booniverse.boo.