Quick Exit Button

Use Case for this Module

Use this module if your site’s content includes sensitive information that could:
- put someone at risk of abuse or retaliation
- reveal someone’s plans to avoid or escape from harm
For example, when a potential victim is using a service to help them leave a domestic abuser (This section was informed by the U.K. Gov).

How it Works

The Quick_Exit module adds an action that moves a visitor off the current site in case of an emergency. The Quick Exit link is added into the main navigation. You must have a main menu rendered to view this module.

When the button is pressed, the visitor leaves the current site and the browser history from your site’s page is scrubbed. The site they are taken to is configurable, but common destinations include YouTube, Netflix, or Wordle (New York Times). This module loads two URLs at a time (one current tab, and an extra tab) and are shown at random.

Alternate names for the quick exit button could include: quick exit, exit site, leave site, safety exit.

How to Install

1. Go to Configuration > Quick Exit Settings
2. Edit URLs (Note: If you only have one URL it will load that URL twice, otherwise it will pull from this list at random.)

Disclaimer & More Research

Currently, there is no “correct” template to implement an easy exit. This module is one method that follows our own findings for successful use, but the pattern still requires further research. For more information on methods used, we recommend reading Click Here to Exit: An Evaluation of Quick Exit Buttons by Kieron Ivy Turk and Alice Hutchings, or the U.K.‘s government website for an exit page.

Current Limitations of Module

1. Technical

- The browser history is scrubbed on the page the exit button is used on. Ideally, browser history for your entire site should be scrubbed. Browsing history for other sites should stay, as a lack of history can cause suspicion in those who might be monitoring the users’ behavior
- A pop-up upon entry to the site can educate the audience about what the exit button does. However, on sites with a wide audience that isn’t just focused on sensitive topics, it is best to compare and contrast the pros and cons of the additional popup to educate visitors (See “overusage” below).
- Menu Exit Only You must have a main menu rendered to view this module.
- Language Currently the "Exit Site" label is not editable.

2. Philosophical

- Learning/ Education of exit button: The quick exit button is not widely known to society. Those who are in more marginalized groups, such as domestic violence victims and LGBTQIA+ members, may have received education about the presence of and how to use similar actions. Therefore, the quick exit button’s effectiveness at the moment is unknown.
- Overusage. If this module is used in places where it is unnecessary it may help inform the wrong audience, such as the abuser. If the victim is using a website with a quick exit button, and the abuser catches them on the site, they may become suspicious that the site they are on has a button in the first place.

Feedback

We would love to continue to make improvements to this module. If you download and use this module, and have feedback about how users have interacted with it please reach out to Alyssa at @avarsanyi