Terms of Use
1. Agreement to These Terms
Welcome to NextGen Debate. These Terms of Use (“Terms”) are a legally binding agreement between you and NextGen Debate (“NGD,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) governing your access to and use of the NextGen Debate website located at nextgendebate.org and all associated platforms, services, content, and features (collectively, the “Platform”).
By creating an account, accessing, or using the Platform in any way, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform.
If you are under the age of 18, your parent or legal guardian must review and agree to these Terms on your behalf. By allowing a minor to use the Platform, a parent or guardian accepts these Terms and assumes full responsibility for that minor’s use of the Platform.
2. About NextGen Debate
NextGen Debate is a California nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, accessible debate education and community resources to students, coaches, volunteers, and leagues. The Platform provides access to debate courses, community features, tournament information, gamification tools, league management resources, and related educational content.
3. Eligibility and Account Registration
3.1 Age Requirements
The Platform is intended for users of all ages involved in competitive debate. However:
•Users under the age of 13 may only access the Platform with verifiable parental or guardian consent in accordance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
•Users between the ages of 13 and 17 must have a parent or legal guardian review and agree to these Terms.
•Users 18 and older may register independently.
NGD reserves the right to request verification of age at any time and to terminate accounts where age requirements are not met.
3.2 Account Registration
To access most features of the Platform you must create an account. When registering you agree to:
•Provide accurate, current, and complete information
•Maintain and update your information to keep it accurate
•Keep your password confidential and not share it with others
•Notify NGD immediately at hello@nextgendebate.org if you believe your account has been compromised
•Accept responsibility for all activity that occurs under your account
NGD reserves the right to reject any registration or suspend or terminate any account at our discretion.
3.3 One Account Per User
Each user may maintain only one active account on the Platform. Creating multiple accounts to circumvent suspensions or other restrictions is prohibited.
4. Membership Types and Access
The Platform offers several membership types including Debater, Coach, Volunteer, League Admin, and NGD Admin. Each membership type has different access levels and features as described on our Registration page. NGD reserves the right to modify membership types, access levels, and associated features at any time.
Certain membership types — including Coach and League Admin — require manual approval by NGD before access is granted. Submission of a registration form does not guarantee approval.
5. Platform Currency and Rewards
5.1 Gems
Gems are a virtual currency available on the Platform. Gems may be purchased with real money or earned through qualifying activities. Gems have no cash value and cannot be redeemed for cash or transferred to another user. All Gem purchases are final and non-refundable unless required by applicable law.
5.2 Merits
Merits are earned through academic and competitive achievement on the Platform. Merits are non-transferable and have no cash value.
5.3 Reps
Reps are earned through community engagement on the Platform. Reps are non-transferable and have no cash value.
5.4 Virtual Economy
NGD reserves the right to modify, adjust, or discontinue any aspect of the virtual currency or rewards system at any time. NGD is not liable for any loss of virtual currency or rewards resulting from account suspension, termination, or modifications to the rewards system.
6. User Conduct and Acceptable Use
By using the Platform you agree that you will not:
6.1 Prohibited Content
•Post, share, or transmit content that is harassing, threatening, abusive, defamatory, obscene, or otherwise objectionable
•Post content that sexualizes, exploits, or endangers minors in any way
•Share false or misleading information about yourself, another user, or any organization
•Impersonate any person, organization, or entity
•Post spam, unsolicited commercial messages, or chain messages
6.2 Prohibited Activities
•Attempt to access accounts, systems, or data that you are not authorized to access
•Scrape, harvest, or collect data from the Platform without written permission from NGD
•Use automated tools, bots, or scripts to interact with the Platform
•Attempt to circumvent any security feature or access restriction
•Interfere with or disrupt the Platform or its servers
•Use the Platform for any commercial purpose without written authorization from NGD
•Upload or transmit malware, viruses, or any malicious code
•Engage in any activity that violates applicable local, state, federal, or international law
6.3 Community Standards
The Platform is a community space for students, coaches, and debate professionals. All users are expected to engage with respect, professionalism, and good faith. NGD reserves the right to remove any content and suspend or terminate any account that violates the spirit of these community standards even if not explicitly prohibited above.
7. Content Ownership and Licensing
7.1 NGD Content
All content created and owned by NGD — including but not limited to course materials, debate resources, the NGD proprietary debate format, logos, branding, and website design — is the intellectual property of NextGen Debate and is protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works from NGD content without prior written permission.
7.2 User-Generated Content
When you post, submit, or otherwise contribute content to the Platform — including profile information, community posts, forum contributions, case library submissions, or any other material — you grant NGD a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to use, display, reproduce, modify, and distribute that content in connection with operating and promoting the Platform.
You represent and warrant that:
•You own or have the right to share any content you post
•Your content does not infringe the intellectual property rights of any third party
•Your content complies with these Terms
7.3 Feedback
If you submit suggestions, ideas, or feedback about the Platform, you grant NGD the right to use that feedback without restriction or compensation.
8. League and Group Participation
8.1 League Membership
Joining a league group on the Platform is subject to approval by the applicable League Administrator. NGD is not responsible for the decisions of individual League Administrators regarding membership approvals or denials.
8.2 League Administrator Responsibilities
League Administrators who manage groups on the Platform agree to:
•Accurately represent their league and their authority to act on its behalf
•Manage their league community in compliance with these Terms
•Not use the Platform or member data for any purpose outside of legitimate league management
•Promptly notify NGD of any member conduct that violates these Terms
8.3 NGD’s Relationship with Leagues
NGD provides the Platform as infrastructure for league community management. NGD is not a party to any agreement between leagues and their members and is not responsible for the conduct of League Administrators or league members.
9. Courses and Educational Content
9.1 Course Access
Access to certain course content requires purchase of a course package using real currency or Gems. Course purchases are final and non-refundable unless required by applicable law. Access to purchased courses is granted to the purchasing account only and may not be transferred.
9.2 No Academic Credit
Completion of NGD courses does not constitute academic credit, professional certification, or any other formal educational credential unless explicitly stated by NGD in writing.
9.3 Content Accuracy
NGD makes reasonable efforts to ensure course content is accurate and current. However NGD makes no warranty that course content is free from errors or that it reflects the most current competitive rules and practices for any debate format. Rules and formats are subject to change by their governing organizations and NGD is not responsible for discrepancies between NGD content and current governing body rules.
10. Tournaments and Competitive Events
10.1 Tournament Participation
Participation in NGD tournaments is subject to registration requirements, eligibility criteria, and tournament-specific rules published by NGD. NGD reserves the right to modify tournament rules, formats, and eligibility requirements at any time.
10.2 Tournament Results
NGD tournament results, speaker points, and rankings are final as determined by NGD and its designated tournament staff. NGD reserves the right to correct clerical errors but is not obligated to review or overturn judging decisions.
10.3 Conduct at Events
All participants in NGD events — whether in-person or virtual — are subject to these Terms and any additional event-specific rules. Conduct that violates these Terms or event rules may result in disqualification, removal from the event, and suspension or termination of Platform access.
11. Privacy
Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By agreeing to these Terms you also agree to our Privacy Policy. Please review our Privacy Policy carefully as it describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.
12. Minor Users and Parental Responsibility
12.1 Parental Consent
If you are a parent or legal guardian permitting a minor to use the Platform, you agree to:
•Supervise the minor’s use of the Platform
•Assume full responsibility for the minor’s compliance with these Terms
•Assume full liability for any harm caused by the minor’s violation of these Terms
12.2 Content Appropriate for Minors
NGD is committed to maintaining a safe environment for minor users. The Platform prohibits content that is inappropriate for minors. However NGD cannot guarantee that all user-generated content will be appropriate for all ages. Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor their minor’s activity on the Platform.
12.3 Reporting Concerns
If you become aware of any content or conduct on the Platform that poses a risk to the safety of a minor, please report it immediately to hello@nextgendebate.org or by using the Report function available throughout the Platform.
13. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
13.1 Platform Provided As-Is
The Platform is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. NGD does not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components.
13.2 No Warranty on Content
NGD does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content on the Platform including course materials, debate resources, or user-generated content.
13.3 Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, NGD and its officers, directors, employees, and volunteers shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of or inability to use the Platform, even if NGD has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
NGD’s total liability to you for any claim arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall not exceed the amount you paid to NGD in the twelve months preceding the claim — or $100, whichever is greater.
13.4 Nonprofit Status
NGD is a California nonprofit organization operating in good faith to serve the debate community. Nothing in these Terms shall be construed to impose liability on NGD beyond what is consistent with its nonprofit mission and resources.
14. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless NextGen Debate and its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses — including reasonable legal fees — arising out of or in connection with your use of the Platform, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of another person or entity.
15. Account Suspension and Termination
15.1 Termination by NGD
NGD reserves the right to suspend or terminate your account and access to the Platform at any time, with or without notice, for any reason including but not limited to violation of these Terms, conduct harmful to the community, or inactivity.
15.2 Termination by You
You may request deletion of your account at any time by contacting hello@nextgendebate.org. Upon account deletion your access to the Platform will be terminated. Please note that certain information may be retained as required by law or for legitimate business purposes as described in our Privacy Policy.
15.3 Effect of Termination
Upon termination of your account for any reason:
•Your right to access the Platform ceases immediately
•Any unused Gems, Merits, or Reps are forfeited without compensation
•Content you have posted may remain on the Platform at NGD’s discretion
•Provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination will survive
16. Modifications to the Platform and Terms
16.1 Platform Changes
NGD reserves the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of the Platform at any time without notice or liability.
16.2 Changes to These Terms
NGD may update these Terms at any time. When we make material changes we will notify registered users by email or by posting a notice on the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms you must stop using the Platform.
17. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
17.1 Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflict of law provisions.
17.2 Dispute Resolution
Any dispute arising from these Terms or your use of the Platform shall first be addressed through good faith negotiation. You agree to contact NGD at hello@nextgendebate.org before initiating any formal legal proceeding.
17.3 Venue
Any legal action arising from these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in California, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.
17.4 Class Action Waiver
You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted on an individual basis only and not as a class action or representative action.
18. General Provisions
18.1 Entire Agreement
These Terms together with our Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and NGD regarding your use of the Platform and supersede any prior agreements.
18.2 Severability
If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
18.3 No Waiver
NGD’s failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of its right to enforce that provision in the future.
18.4 Assignment
You may not assign your rights or obligations under these Terms without NGD’s prior written consent. NGD may assign its rights and obligations without restriction.
18.5 Contact Information
For questions about these Terms please contact:
NextGen Debate
hello@nextgendebate.org
(877) 400-2310
nextgendebate.org
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