Last updated: October 15, 2026
1. Our commitment
OpenSTEM Help has zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, harassment, grooming, bullying or neglect of any child or young person. Every student and mentor on the platform is a minor. We treat the safety and wellbeing of both groups as our highest priority.
2. How we reduce risk
- Approval before participation: mentors are reviewed and approved by our team.
- Guardian consent: a parent or guardian must consent for every student and every minor mentor.
- Team-approved matches and coordinated sessions — no unsupervised self-arranged contact.
- Limited data sharing: mentors do not receive a child's home address, phone number or other unnecessary personal details.
- Feedback after sessions so concerns surface early.
- Required agreements: all mentors accept our Mentor Agreement and Code of Conduct.
3. Rules of contact
- All communication must stay within the approved platform and meeting process.
- No exchanging personal phone numbers, social-media accounts, private messaging handles or home addresses.
- No in-person meetings arranged through the Service.
- No gifts, money, secrets or "special" relationships. Mentors must never ask a child to keep something secret from their parents.
- No sharing or requesting images of a child, and no sexual, romantic or inappropriate conversation of any kind.
- Sessions must take place in a shared, appropriate setting; we encourage guardians to be nearby for online sessions.
4. What to look out for
- Someone asking to move the conversation elsewhere or to keep it secret
- Requests for personal information, photos, or private contact
- Gifts, excessive praise or attention, or pressure
- Inappropriate, sexual, violent or hateful language
- A child who seems distressed, withdrawn or afraid after sessions
- Any disclosure by a child about harm happening at home, school or elsewhere
5. How to report a concern
- Immediate danger: contact emergency services.
- Email: [email protected] with what happened, who was involved, and when. Do not investigate yourself.
- In the app: use the report option on any session or message, once available.
Reports are reviewed promptly by our designated safeguarding team. Reports may be made in good faith without fear of retaliation, and we will protect the identity of the reporter as far as the law allows.
Helplines
- US: Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline — 1-800-422-4453
- US: NCMEC CyberTipline — report.cybertip.org
- UK: NSPCC — 0808 800 5000
- Elsewhere: your national child protection helpline or police
6. What we do after a report
- Pause contact between the people involved where appropriate
- Review the facts, preserving relevant records
- Inform parents or guardians unless doing so would put a child at risk
- Remove or suspend accounts that breach policy
- Report to law enforcement or child-protection authorities where abuse or exploitation is suspected or where required by law
7. Mentors who are minors
Mentors are also young people. They must not be put in a position to handle serious disclosures alone: if a student tells a mentor about harm or danger, the mentor should stay calm, not promise secrecy, and report to [email protected] immediately. Mentors can also report any inappropriate behaviour toward them.
8. Responsibility
A designated safeguarding lead oversees this policy, reviews reports, and ensures our team and mentors understand their duties. This policy is reviewed at least annually.