Sesame Street Family Connections FAQ

About Sesame Workshop

What is Sesame Street Family Connections?

Sesame Street Family Connections is a place for you and your family members to stay connected with each other. The site, although accessible to anyone who wishes to sign up, has been provided as a public service by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) and the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. Sesame Street Family Connections enables deployed or injured soldiers to interact more easily with loved ones when distance or disability makes everyday communications difficult.

You can access the home page and the Grown-Ups section of the site directly, however if you would like to set up a network for your family, you will need to Create Your Account (please see “How do I join Sesame Street Family Connections?” below).

Once you join Sesame Street Family Connections, you and your family will be able to post and respond to messages, share photos, record videos and audio, and create artwork. All of your activity on the site will be accessible to only the people you have invited to join your Family Network, making it a secure and private family experience.

What is “Talk, Listen, Connect”?

In August 2006, Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, launched “Talk, Listen, Connect: Helping Families During Military Deployment”. This critical outreach tool helped military families and their young children cope with a parent’s deployment and build resiliency in times of separation and change.

With deployment come changes—and a growing demand for resources. In April 2008, Sesame Workshop launched “Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes” to help support heroic families experiencing deployments, multiple deployments, or a parent who has returned home changed due to a combat-related injury.

“Talk, Listen, Connect” has since expanded to include a free Sesame Street/USO family tour; two PBS primetime specials; and Sesame Rooms, bringing toys and furniture to military spaces.

Is there a Sesame Street store?

Yes. Click here to visit the store.

How do I sign up for the Sesame Workshop newsletters?

Sesame Workshop offers three newsletters: Sesame Workshop News, Sesame Family News, and Sesame Street DVD. You may sign up for these newsletters here.

Using Sesame Street Family Connections

Who can access my Sesame Street Family Connections network?

Only invited users (those who you invite to join your Family Network, or those invited by others who are already in your Family Network) will be able to access the messages, comments, artwork, photos, videos, and audio that you and your family post to the site. This content will not be available to anyone outside of your Family Network. For more information about the materials you post, please read our Terms of Use.

Is the Sesame Street Family Connections website accessible to those with disabilities?

Yes. Sesame Street Family Connections is committed to providing a great experience for all of its users. In particular, this site includes several features designed to improve accessibility for users with disabilities. For more information about Accessibility, you can review our Accessibility Statement.

How do I join Sesame Street Family Connections?

Joining Sesame Street Family Connections is easy, fun, and free!

From the homepage (www.SesameStreetFamilyConnections.org), click on the “get started” button. Registration is easy and can be completed in four quick steps.

  1. Create Your Account: First, enter your personal e-mail address and password. This will be how you log in to the Sesame Street Family Connections site. Keep in mind that this password must be at least seven characters long and must contain at least one number and one letter. Your password should be something easy to remember. Please write down your login information and keep it in a safe place. You’ll also need to enter your nickname and either upload a profile photo or choose an icon to identify you throughout the site.
  2. Choose A Design: Then, choose a design and name for your Family Network. You can make a selection now, or come back to this page at any time by selecting the “Settings” button at the top of each page of your Family Network.
  3. Add Family and Friends: The next step is to add family members to your Family Network. You may include your children by creating an online identity for them under your account. This is done without submitting any personally identifiable information about your children. Your children will be able to access your Family Network and post materials only through your password-protected account.
    You may also invite other adults to participate in your Family Network by sending e-mail invitations to them through the site. Those who you invite by e-mail will be able to create their own account and join your Family Network. If you would like to include a child from another family (such as a niece) you must invite that child’s parent or guardian. That adult can create an account to join your Family Network and give access to their children.
    Then, you can also add up to six Sesame Street characters to your Family Network. The characters you select will interact with your family throughout their experience through encouraging and positive text comments on your family’s artwork, photos, videos, and audio.
  4. Confirm Your Account: Finally, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. This message will be sent to the e-mail address you used to join the site, and will contain a link that you must click on in order to confirm your account. When your account is confirmed, you will be automatically logged in to your Sesame Street Family Connections site.

I joined Sesame Street Family Connections, but I never received a confirmation e-mail. What do I do?

It may take a few minutes for the Sesame Street Family Connections confirmation e-mail to reach your inbox. If you feel you should have received the message and haven’t, please check your spam folder. Then, check the Create Your Account page to ensure that you entered your e-mail address correctly. If your address is entered correctly and you still haven’t received the e-mail, please send us a brief message.

How do I cancel my Sesame Street Family Connections account?

Your Sesame Street Family Connections account will automatically expire after 180 days of inactivity, so you don't have to do anything to cancel it. If you choose to, you can always create a new account.

If you wish to delete your account entirely, please read: Can I delete a member of my family or cancel an account for a member of my Family Network?

Is there a limit on the number of Sesame Street Family Connections accounts I can create?

There is no limit. Please remember that an unused account automatically expires after 180 days of inactivity. If you have designated a member of your Family Network as “inactive”, however, that user’s contributions to the site will not expire (see “What is the difference between deleting a family member and making a member of my Family Network ‘Inactive’?”).

Can I belong to more than one Family Network?

At this time, you must register with a different e-mail address in order to join another Family Network. We are working to update the Sesame Street Family Connections site with functionality that will allow for multiple family access soon.

Can I log in to Sesame Street Family Connections on more than one computer?

Yes.

I forgot my Sesame Street Family Connections password. What do I do?

If you have forgotten your password, click here and follow the simple instructions. If you haven’t logged in to your Family Network in over 180 days, your account may have expired due to inactivity. If that is the case, you will need to create a new account. If you have designated a member of your Family Network as “inactive,” then that user’s contributions to the site will not expire (see “What is the difference between deleting a family member and making a member of my Family Network ‘Inactive’?”).

How do I change the e-mail address and/or password that are associated with my Sesame Street Family Connections login?

To change your e-mail address and/or password, log in to Sesame Street Family Connections and click the “Settings” link at the top of any page. Under the “Account and Profile” settings section, you can change your e-mail address and reset your password. If you change your e-mail address, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. This message will contain a link that you must click on in order to confirm your e-mail address change takes effect.

If you forget your password or wish to change it, click the “Reset your Password” link and you will receive an e-mail with a unique link to a page where you may choose a new password.

Why do you need my e-mail address? How will my e-mail address be used?

You will use your e-mail address to log in to the Sesame Street Family Connections site. Sesame Workshop will not use your e-mail address for any other purpose than to allow you to log in to your Family Network, and for any additional purposes for which you have given your permission.

Why can't I sign in to Sesame Street Family Connections?

To sign in to Sesame Street Family Connections, you need to first join (please refer to “How do I join Sesame Street Family Connections”). Once you have joined the site, you may log in to your Family Network in the blue box on www.SesameStreetFamilyConnections.org.

If it is your first time signing in to your Family Network, make sure that you have clicked the link in your confirmation e-mail.

If you see a message stating that your e-mail address and password do not match, check to make sure that you have chosen the correct e-mail address and that your caps lock is not on. Try typing in your password again. Make sure that everything is spelled correctly.

Why are there two different ways to add people to my Family Network?

Your Family Network can have two kinds of members: your children, or other invited adults. You may include your children by creating an online identity for them under your account. This is done without submitting any personally identifiable information about your children. Your children will be able to access your Family Network and post materials only through your password-protected account.

You may also invite other adults to participate in your Family Network by sending e-mail invitations to them through the Site. Those who you invite by e-mail will be able to create their own account and join your Family Network. If you would like to include a child from another family (such as a niece), you must invite that child’s parent or guardian, and that adult can create an account to join your Family Network and give access to their children.

All family members, including Network Initiators, will be able to post and respond to messages, share photos, record video and audio, and create artwork. All of the family’s activity will be accessible only to those family members who are connected to that Family Network.

Can I send a message to only one person?

No. All posted messages, photos, videos, audio, artwork, and comments are sent to the entire Family Network and viewable to all members of the Family Network.

Who can join Sesame Street Family Connections? Can I invite non-military family and friends?

While Sesame Street Family Connections is specifically designed for military families, it can be used by anyone. You and your family will never need to provide military identification and can register using any e-mail address you want.

Is the Sesame Street Family Connections site secure?

Whenever you submit personal information to Sesame Street Family Connections, it travels through Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to attempt to protect your confidentiality. The information technology staff has put into place technology that is used to maintain web security and integrity. While this is the most up-to-date technology to securely transfer information over the Internet, we cannot guarantee that information transmitted through the Internet or stored on our system will be safe from intrusion by others. For more information about your personal account information on the site, please read our Privacy Policy.

Could I invite friends to my Family Network?

On Sesame Street, we often define "family" as a group of people that love and care for one another. As you can imagine, there are many friends (like your furry Sesame Street friends) that can fit into this definition! Your Family Network is designed as a tool to keep connected with the people in your life that support your family through the many transitions you experience. Sesame Street Family Connections encourages you to invite whomever you feel is important to your family to be in your Family Network to enjoy all the photos, videos, audio, and artwork that you post on the site.

Can other people from different families view the content of my Family Network?

No, only the people who have been invited into your Family Network can see the content within it.

Are there any restrictions about what my family can post on their SSFC site?

You are responsible for any content you upload or contribute to your Family Network. For more information, please visit our Terms of Use.

Is there a limit to how many photos I can upload? Is there a limit on the file size for photos?

Sesame Workshop may impose a limit on the amount of User Content that can be uploaded or saved to an account each day, and on the total amount of User Content that can be stored in an account. Sesame Workshop will notify users if such limits are put in place.

Is there a limit to how many videos or audio files I can upload?

Sesame Workshop may impose a limit on the amount of User Content that can be uploaded or saved to an account each day, and on the total amount of User Content that can be stored in an account. Sesame Workshop will notify users if such limits are put in place.

Can I delete a member of my family or cancel an account for a member of my Family Network?

If you would like to delete a member of your Family Network, you may do so at any time by selecting the “Settings” button at the top of each page of your Family Network. Deleting a member of your Family Network permanently removes that family member from the system, and all records and contributions made by that family member will no longer exist.

Alternatively, you may wish to make a member of your Family Network “Inactive.” You may do so at any time by selecting the “Settings” button at the top of each page of your Family Network. Making a member of your Family Network “Inactive” retains all of the contributions that family member has made to the Family Network. However, the “Inactive” member will no longer be able to log in to the Sesame Street Family Connections site.

If you were the first person to create your Family Network, you may delete or make “Inactive” any member of your Family Network. If you were invited to join your Family Network by another member of your family, you may only delete or make “Inactive” the family members you’ve invited to join the Family Network.

What do I do if a member of my family has posted something inappropriate or offensive?

Sesame Workshop will not interfere with your Family Network. By accepting our Terms of Use, you have agreed to moderate the content you and your family post to the site.

All members of your Family Network who log in to Sesame Street Family Connections using their own e-mail address may delete a specific message, comment or photo, video, audio or artwork on the “Settings” page, which is accessible on the top of all pages on the Family Network. Once in the “Settings,” you may select “Edit Mode,” which allows users to delete messages, comments, or specific photo, video, audio or artwork. While in “Edit Mode,” you will see a small red “x” next to each post within your Family Network. Clicking the red “x” will delete that specific photo, video, audio, artwork, message, or comment from the Family Network.

If you delete a message that has comments associated with it, you will delete the entire conversation (the original message plus all of the associated comments).

If you delete a photo, video, audio, or artwork that has comments associated with it, you will delete that specific content as well as all of its associated comments.

If you delete a specific comment, you will only delete that comment (not the entire conversation).

How can I delete photo, video, audio, or artwork content created by a member of my family?

Please see “What do I do if a member of my family has posted something inappropriate or offensive?” above.

What is the difference between deleting a family member and making a member of my Family Network “Inactive”?

Within the “Settings” page at the top of your Family Network, you may choose to make a family member “Inactive.” Making a member of your Family Network “Inactive” retains all of the contributions that family member has made to the Family Network. However, the “Inactive” member will no longer be able to log in to the Sesame Street Family Connections site.

On the other hand, deleting a member of your Family Network permanently removes that family member from the system, and all records and contributions made by that family member will no longer exist.

Will this site be blocked by military base firewalls?

No, the Sesame Street Family Connections website will not be blocked by military base firewalls.

Do I have to join Sesame Street Family Connections to access the Grown-Ups materials?

No, all of the materials within the Grown-Ups section are accessible without logging in.

Where do I find the videos from the “Talk, Listen, Connect” DVD?

All of “Talk, Listen, Connect” Sesame Street DVD materials are available in the Grown-Ups section of the Sesame Street Family Connections website. The “Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecomings, Changes” video materials are designed to help support military families with children between the ages of 2 and 5 experiencing deployments, multiple deployments or when a parent returns home changed due to a combat related injury.

Where can I find additional resources for my family about coping with military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, and changes?

For additional information about how military deployments, multiple deployments, homecomings, and changes can affect the whole family, please visit our grown-ups section.

Technical Help

Is the Sesame Street Family Connections site bilingual? How do I change the language setting?

Sesame Street Family Connections is available in English and Spanish. You can change the language in which you and your family experience the site either at www.SesameStreetFamilyConnections.org or at the top of your Family Network pages by clicking the “Español” or “English” button.

Why don't I hear any sound?

If you don't hear any sound:

  • Make sure that your computer's sound is not muted and is turned up to an appropriate level.
  • Make sure your speakers are turned on.
  • Make sure your speakers or headphones are connected to the sound out or headphone socket on your computer.

How do I make sure my webcam is working with the Sesame Street Family Connections site?

In most cases, the video recorder software within Sesame Street Family Connections will detect if your computer has a webcam attached. If you have multiple recording devices on your computer, you may be prompted to choose which device you would like to use. Please be sure to plug your webcam into its power source and make sure that it is turned on.

How do I know if I have a microphone?

If you’re using a PC and have a microphone, it should be listed in the Windows Device Manager. To access the Device Manager:

  • Right click on My Computer
  • Click Properties
  • Click the Hardware tab
  • Click the Device Manager button

If you’re using a Mac, most laptops since 2002 have an internal microphone. To check your System Profiler to verify that you have a microphone:

  • Click on the Apple menu
  • Click on About this Mac
  • Click the More Info button

Do I need to configure my browser in a certain way to view your site?

You will need to make sure that you have session cookies enabled. To enable cookies, please follow the instructions here.

Do I need Flash installed on my computer in order to enjoy the Sesame Street Family Connections site? How do I install Flash on my computer?

Your Sesame Street Family Connections online experience could be richer if you have Adobe/Macromedia Flash Player 9 or above installed on your computer. If you have an older version of Flash installed on your computer, the Sesame Street Family Connections site will automatically detect whether or not you need to upgrade. To download the most recent version of the Adobe Flash Player for free, Windows users can click here, and Macintosh users can click here.

I cannot view Flash on the Sesame Street Family Connections site. What should I do?

If you are using Norton Personal Firewall or Norton Internet Security, you may need to adjust your settings at the Norton ad-blocking settings adjustment page.

How do I enable JavaScript?

Detailed instructions on how to enable JavaScript are here.

How do I adjust my Norton Personal Firewall or Norton Internet Security settings?

Please visit the Norton ad-blocking settings adjustment page.

My Java Applet is not working. What should I do?

In order to correctly run Java Applets, your browser should be Java-enabled and have Java Plug-in Software (J2SE v 1.4.2_06 JRE or higher) installed. If your computer meets these requirements and Java Applets are not functioning, try uninstalling and reinstalling the plug-in. Visit java.sun.com for the latest version of the plug-in.

Why can't I read or download the print materials?

If you have trouble viewing the PDFs from this website, please go to http://get.adobe.com/reader/ and download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Do I have to use a particular browser?

This site is designed to work optimally with Firefox 3.0, IE 7 and 8 and Safari 2x, 3x. Using any browser other than the ones listed above may cause users to experience problems.

I’m still having technical problems. Who do I contact?

If you are still having technical problems, please visit the Contact Us page or send a brief message to TLCFamilyConnections@SesameWorkshop.org.

Why can't I play the online videos?

Several factors can cause videos not to play. Reloading the page will resolve most common issues. Videos may sometimes be slower to load, so please be patient.

You may also need to upgrade or configure your browser to make it compatible with the videos on the Sesame Street Family Connections site. Use the links below to make any updates:

How do I change my video preferences?

The video player allows you to control the volume of the video, view full screen, and rewind. These preferences are located at the bottom of the video player.

Do I need software to watch videos?

You need the latest Flash plug-in on your computer to watch videos. If you have an older version of Flash installed on your computer, the Sesame Street Family Connections site will automatically detect whether or not you need to upgrade. To download the most recent version of the Adobe Flash Player for free, Windows users can click here, and Macintosh users can click here. Videos will not work if you have a dial-up connection.

How do I switch to full-screen viewing?

When the video starts playing, click on the button located to the right of the volume control button on the video player. To exit full-screen viewing, press the Escape key.