- "Join" redirects here. For the block that joins strings together, see Join ()() (block).
- This article is about creating an account on the Scratch Website. For information on requesting an account for the Scratch Wiki, see Scratch Wiki:Become a contributor.
There are certain things to know and rules to adhere to when creating an account for the Scratch Website.
Account Creation
- How to Join Scratch
The initial "Join Scratch" page
Filling in information
Scratch asking for the user's country
Scratch asking for the user's birth month and year
Scratch asking for the user's gender
Scratch asking for the user's email
The account has been created.
To create an account, go to any page and click "Join Scratch" in the top right-hand corner. A user who already has an account will first be asked if they want to retrieve their password. Upon arriving at the signup page, each of the following information will be entered at some point. Many users have multiple accounts, but it is not allowed to create a large number of accounts to increase the number of followers on a main account.
Username
- Main article: Username
This should reflect the user in some way, but not give away any personal information like a full name or address. Do not try to impersonate other users, and do not use an inappropriate username either, as accounts with such usernames will be blocked or deleted. Usernames should be simple yet creative, as that is how the user will be recognized.
 Caution: | Usernames are unchangeable once registered. The only way to acquire a new username is to create a new account or under special circumstances, make a request to have a username changed.[1] |
Disallowed usernames
Users may not create accounts with usernames that violate the Scratch Community Guidelines or are otherwise likely to cause trouble. There is an automatic filter in place that blocks usernames containing various terms that are not appropriate for Scratch or are otherwise likely to cause drama or confusion.
Password
A secure password should have both letters and numbers. To make it stronger, use symbols or an upper-lowercase combination, but make sure it is memorable. Passwords are required when the user is logging in to Scratch or performing sensitive actions such as deleting their account, changing the email associated with their account, or transferring a studio to a new host.
Email Address
An existing email address is required so that the email address, and thereby the account, can be confirmed. If an account is not confirmed, commenting and sharing projects will be disabled.
reCAPTCHA
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Please expand this article or section. You can help by adding more information if you are an editor. More information might be found in a section of the talk page. (December 2023) |
A reCAPTCHA is required, to prevent bots from joining the site. It has been added since late 2023[when?].
Personal information
Scratch asks for birth month and year, gender, and country of residence when signing up. This is because the Scratch Team uses this data to figure out who uses Scratch, and the demographics of people who use Scratch, which are displayed on the statistics page.
Finally, click Get Started. The account is now ready to Explore or make projects.
Tips and Suggestions
Here are some tips that help keep accounts secure in a friendly environment on the Scratch Website. These are also summarized in the Community Guidelines.
- Never share passwords, or even hint at them.
- Do not create an account for a collaboration if it is shared with people other than oneself or those who live in their own household. If users share an account with users that they don't live with, they will be told by the Scratch Team to make it into one account, because these accounts can easily be used for private chatting or sharing private information.[2]
- Never share any personal information.
- Use a password that is almost impossible to guess. Avoid using passwords like "password" or "123456". If passwords are too common or easy, they can be guessed by people who could then disrupt the account's normal usage.
- Use a password that is also easy to remember, or have another way to know what your password is besides writing it down or sharing it to others.
- If the account's password is forgotten, see this tutorial.
- Do not use a Scratcher's real name - use only their username, even if it is known in real life. This protects personal information.
- Never use the account username as its password because it can be easy for any person to guess.
- Never use any personal information in a username, such as real name or birth date.
Tips for Creating Secure Passwords
- Main article: Password
- Do not use real names or the account's username.
- Do not use any common names.
- Use a mixture of capital letters, numbers, lowercase letters, and punctuation.
- Do not use a password that is easy to guess.
- Passwords are enforced at a minimum of six characters by Scratch itself; use at least eight to be safe, as longer passwords tend to be more secure (though it ultimately depends on the password itself).
Reasons to Create an Account
Creating an account has many benefits, including:
- Being able to save, share, and remix projects
- Love, favorite, and comment on projects
- Use the forums
- Participate in community activities
Some Scratchers also create multiple accounts so that they can do things that they would not want to share on their main account, such as make projects for collaborations, remix projects, or because they dislike their old username.
