Child Safeguarding & Safety Policy
Our zero-tolerance standards, teacher screening procedures, and safeguards to protect young learners in our global community.
1. Zero-Tolerance Safety Commitment
Sharon Online is uncompromising in its dedication to the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every child and young learner who accesses our digital platform. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy regarding child abuse, exploitation, grooming, emotional harassment, or inappropriate conduct of any kind.
Every lesson with a student under the age of 18 is treated with the highest degree of safeguarding scrutiny.
2. Tutor Vetting and Background Verification
Before any educator is permitted to accept bookings on Sharon Online, they must complete our rigorous multi-stage vetting process:
1. Identity & Criminal Clearance: Verified South African National ID verification and background clearance checks.
2. Academic & TEFL Certification: Mandatory validation of accredited 120+ hour TEFL/TESOL certification and university degrees.
3. Pedagogic Audition: Live interview and recorded pedagogical audition evaluated by senior academic supervisors against strict communication and classroom demeanor rubrics.
4. Safeguarding Training: Mandatory completion of Sharon Online's Child Safeguarding & Behavioral Ethics LMS training module prior to slot unlocking.
3. Classroom Standards and Behavioral Protocols
During all synchronous video sessions involving minors:
- Professional Attire & Environment: Tutors must conduct lessons in a quiet, well-lit, professional setting with neutral backgrounds.
- Appropriate Content Only: Curriculum materials must remain strictly age-appropriate, focusing exclusively on language learning, grammar, vocabulary, and cultural exchange.
- No Private Off-Platform Communication: Tutors and students are expressly prohibited from exchanging private personal contacts (such as personal phone numbers, social media handles, Discord, WhatsApp, or email). All interaction must occur inside Sharon Online.
- Parental Presence Welcome: Parents or legal guardians have the absolute right to be present in the room or observe any lesson at any time without advance notice.
4. Automated Session Telemetry and Audit Logging
To guarantee total accountability:
- Automated audit systems record connection metadata, attendee presence timestamps, and video session logs.
- Lesson recordings and chat logs are stored in encrypted, access-restricted private storage for a mandatory 30-day safeguarding audit window.
- Access to safeguarding audit logs is strictly restricted to our vetted Child Protection Officers and certified law enforcement entities upon valid legal process.
5. Incident Reporting and Immediate Escalation Protocol
If a student, parent, or tutor observes any behavior that causes discomfort or raises safety concerns:
1. In-Class Exit: Either party may immediately exit the lesson without penalty.
2. Emergency Safeguarding Contact: Reports can be submitted 24/7 to safety@sharonesl.com with the subject line "URGENT: SAFEGUARDING REPORT".
3. Immediate Suspension: Upon receipt of a credible safeguarding report, the reported user's account is instantly suspended, future bookings are cancelled with full student refunds, and a formal investigation is initiated within 2 hours.