Enabling Cookies in Your Browser

First off you may be wondering, "What are cookies?" Well, yes they're delicious morsels of sweetness to munch on, but in the techno-world, they're something altogether different.

A cookie is a file with some text in it that we use to keep track of who you are, whether or not you've logged in on the computer before, and to pass information around as you surf through the site. Don't worry, we don't put or share any identifying information like your name, username, or e-mail address in the cookies.

So if you don't have cookies "enabled" in your Web browser, you won't ever be able to do the fun online activities in My Youthhood.

Most browsers come with cookies enabled, by default. But someone may've decided to increase the privacy settings in your computer's browser by not allowing cookies to be set by Web sites, in which case, you'll need to enable cookies (if you want to log in to The Youthhood).

How to Enable Cookies

Here's a quick summary of how to enable cookies. Read more below.

1. Check with the person in charge of your computer.
2. Determine the platform of your computer.
3. Determine the Web browser you're using.
4. Follow the instructions below.
5. Log in

You may need an adult to help you with this, especially if you're working on a computer that's not your own (like in a classroom or library). Check with your parent, teacher, Youthhood Guide, or "the adult in charge" there before making changes to your browser's settings.

Once you've gotten the OK from the person in charge of your computer, read the instructions below. First determine your computer's "platform" (such as PC or Mac) and then which browser you're using.

• PC Platform
• Macintosh (OSX) Platform

PC Platform

Internet Explorer 6.0 (and newer)

1. Click Tools (top right)
2. Select Internet Options
3. Click on the Privacy tab
4. The default setting for the bar is Medium, however you may choose one that protects your privacy more
5. Click the OK button
6. Log in

Internet Explorer 5.5 (and earlier)

1. Click Tools (top right)
2. Select Internet Options
3. Click on the Security tab
4. Select Internet if it's not already selected
5. Click on the Custom Level button
6. The default setting is to have Allow cookies that are stored on your computer set to Enable, however you may choose one that protects your privacy more
7. Click the OK button
8. Log in

For Netscape 6.0 (and newer)

1. Click Edit on the Toolbar
2. Click Preferences
3. Click the Privacy and Security category; expand the list to show the subcategories
4. Click Cookies
5. The default setting is Enable all cookies, however you may choose one that protects your privacy more
6. Click the OK button
7. Log in

For Mozilla Firefox 1.0.4 (and newer)

1. Click Tools (top right)
2. Select Options
3. Select Cookies (to expand window)
4. The default setting is Allow sites to set cookies and next to Keep Cookies the default setting is until they expire , however you may choose one that protects your privacy more
5. Click the OK button
6. Log in

If you're having difficulty or need assistance, please let us know using our Contact Us form.

Macintosh (OSX) Platform

Safari 2.0

1. Click Safari (top left)
2. Click Preferences
3. Click the Security tab
4. The default setting under Accept Cookies is Always, however you may choose one that protects your privacy more
5. Close the window
6. Log in

Netscape 7.2 or newer

1. Click Netscape (top left)
2. Click Preferences
3. Click to expand the Privacy & Security tab
4. Click Cookies
5. The default setting is Allow all cookies, however you may choose one that protects your privacy more
6. Click the OK button
7. Log in

For Mozilla Firefox 1.5 (and newer)

1. Click Firefox (top left)
2. Select Preferences
3. Select the Privacy tab (top of window)
4. Select the Cookies tab
5. The default setting is Allow sites to set cookies, however you may choose one that protects your privacy more
6. Log in
7. Close the window

If you're having difficulty or need assistance, please let us know using our Contact Us form.