1. Purpose and scope

The purpose of this policy is to safeguard and promote the welfare, rights, and safety of users of Split Happens, particularly those aged 13–30 who use our website and AI support services. It applies to all content, interactions and technical systems within the platform including the AI chatbot, videos of personal stories and links to trusted resources and services.

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2. Our Commitment

we are committed to:

• Promoting a safe, supportive environment for children and young adults.
• Identifying and appropriately responding to any safeguarding risks or disclosures.
• Ensuring our AI and human content follow responsible, trauma-informed and youth-sensitive practices.
• Providing clear pathways to professional support when needed.

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3. Safeguarding Objectives

these are to:

• Prevent harm or abuse to users interacting with our services.
• Promote mental and emotional well-being.
• Recognise and act on concerns around suicidal thoughts, abuse, exploitation, or neglect.
• Educate users about healthy coping strategies and where to find help.
• Be in line with UK GDPR and the ICO’s Children’s Code (Age Appropriate Design Code).
• Be guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), particularly Article 12 where children have the right to express their views freely.

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4. Key Safeguarding Risks

• Exposure to triggering or distressing content
• Misuse of the AI chatbot for harmful or misleading advice
• Breaches of data privacy or accidental disclosure
• Underage users accessing the platform
• Emotional overreliance on the platform without live human support
• Bad advice - e.g. cutting off relationships unnecessarily, or remaining in unsafe ones
• People vulnerable to suicide/self harm not being signposted to appropriate help

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5. Safeguarding Measures

a. Access & Age Restrictions

• Parental guidance is recommended for those under 16.
• The website has been designed for people aged 13 or over. Guidance is given for under 13s to ask a parent or carer for permission to use the site.
• The website includes appropriate wording to remind users that they are communicating with an AI and of possible limitations of the AI bot

b. AI Chatbot

• The AI bot does not store or retain personal data on the server. All data is processed and temporarily stored on the user's own device.
• The AI bot does not store or save any content entered by users on the platform. While user input may be used in an anonymous and aggregated way to help improve the bot’s interactive responses and overall safety features, no personal data is retained, linked to individuals, or stored on the platform’s servers.
• The bot is programmed to recognize distress signals or risk keywords such as self harm, abuse, neglect or suicide and signposts users to crisis support.
• The bot is not a substitute for therapy or emergency services and clearly states this.
• It is not the responsibility of the Ai Bot or the website to make a safeguarding referral as no data is held.
• In addition to signposting, the Bot is programmed to ask ‘thoughtful’ follow up questions to help the user decide for themselves on the best course of action to take in their specific situation. The website will have additional resources for people to use.

c. Content Moderation

• Bot is only trained using approved materials. It does not search the wider internet
• There are emotional support prompts used across the website to ensure that when sensitive topics are discussed people can find further support.
• Users can report improvements to content and answers through the [email protected] email address.

d. Data Protection

• No personal or identifiable information is required to access AI or resources including, among other things, the age of the person using the website.
• Data protection and GDPR compliance are strictly observed and align with the ICO’s Children's Code
• We will protect the anonymity of users sharing their story by using only a fake first name to refer to them/label the video/story.
• Any young person who offers their story to be filmed for the site will complete a usage form to capture that they are happy for the website to show the footage.

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6. Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to major updates in legislation, platform technology, or safeguarding guidance.

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7. Contact Information

For safeguarding, technical or content queries: [email protected]

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Approved by the Split Happens Board: 30/06/2025 

Next Review Due: 30/06/2026