Child Protection & Safeguarding

1. Purpose

This policy sets out how LTLF Forum protects children and young people from harm, in line with the UK Online Safety Act and relevant safeguarding guidance.

LTLF Forum is intended for adults aged 16 years and over. The policy ensures that if anyone under the age limit accesses the forum, safeguards are in place to protect them from harm, inappropriate contact, and unlawful content.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All registered members of LTLF Forum.
• All moderators, administrators, and contracted support staff.
• All public and private forum areas, including posts, private messages (PMs), and media uploads.

3. Age Restriction

• Minimum age to register: 16 years.
• Age requirement stated at registration, in the Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.
• Users must confirm they meet this requirement before creating an account.

4. Risks to Children Online

Potential risks include:

• Exposure to harmful or adult content (strong language, mature discussion).
• Unwanted contact or grooming attempts via posts or private messages.
• Sharing of personal information that could compromise safety.
• Access to unmoderated external links.

5. Safeguarding Measures

• Active Moderation:
  • Moderators regularly review posts and respond quickly to reports.
  • Use of keyword and content filters to flag high-risk material.
• Private Message (PM) Controls:
  • New users cannot send PMs until meeting minimum post/time criteria.
  • Members can block PMs from specific users.
• Reporting Tools:
  • One-click “Report” button on all content and PMs.
  • Reports reviewed by moderators as a priority.
• Content Removal:
  • Immediate removal of illegal or harmful content.
  • Escalation to law enforcement where required.
• User Education:
  • Safety reminders in community rules and help guides.
  • Advice on protecting personal details and recognising suspicious behaviour.

6. Moderator Responsibilities

• Vigilance: Watch for signs of grooming, bullying, or harassment.
• Action: Remove harmful content and suspend accounts pending investigation.
• Record Keeping: Log all safeguarding-related actions in the Moderation Log (kept securely and accessible only to authorised staff).
• Escalation:
  • Report illegal activity to the police or the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP).
  • Inform the forum owner immediately of any safeguarding incident.

7. User Responsibilities

• Do not post harmful, abusive, or sexualised content involving minors.
• Report any user who appears to be underage or engaging in suspicious contact.
• Avoid sharing personal details that could identify children or young people.

8. Law Enforcement & Reporting

• LTLF Forum cooperates fully with UK law enforcement agencies.
• Illegal activity will be reported to:
  • Local Police
  • CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command) – https://www.ceop.police.uk/
• We will preserve and supply relevant evidence where legally required.

9. Compliance & Review

• This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legal requirements change.