About · Safeguarding and privacy
Safety is part of the design, not a disclaimer.
HxDF works with minors and with AI. That creates a higher duty of care than an ordinary educational program, and it is treated as a core capability of the organization. This page lists the commitments HxDF is making and the status of each policy. Nothing is claimed to exist before it does.
Commitments
Nine things that will be true before a young person walks in.
- 01
Youth protection policy
Adult conduct, supervision ratios, two adult rule, physical and online boundaries, reporting duties, and training for every adult in a program.
In development
- 02
Volunteer screening
Every volunteer who works with young people completes an application, references, an interview, and a background check before placement. No exceptions for anyone.
In development
- 03
Code of conduct
Expectations for students, volunteers, staff, and partners, including online communication rules and what happens when they are broken.
In development
- 04
Photography and media permissions
No photograph, video, quote, name, or student work is published without written permission from a parent or guardian for the specific use. Never by default.
In development
- 05
Privacy and data handling
Collect the minimum a program needs. Define what is stored, where, for how long, who can see it, and how it is deleted. No sale or commercial use of participant data, ever.
In development
- 06
AI use policy for programs
Which tools, at which ages, with which settings. Students never enter unnecessary personal information into an AI system. Every AI activity is supervised and every project includes a responsible AI review.
In development
- 07
Incident and escalation pathway
How a concern about a young person's safety is raised, who responds, and how mandated reporting obligations are met.
In development
- 08
Partner agreements
Safeguarding, data, and media terms agreed in writing with every school, youth organization, and community partner before a program starts.
In development
- 09
Independent product review
Any student facing product (the Digital Home, the companion) undergoes independent child safety and privacy review, with qualified counsel on COPPA and related obligations, before any public launch.
In development
Responsible AI in programs
Seven rules for every AI activity with young people.
AI is a tool that requires judgment, verification, safeguards, and purpose. Students learn that from the first session, and the program models it.
- 01AI output can be wrong. Students learn to check it before acting on it, every time.
- 02Students are never required to disclose unnecessary personal information to an AI system.
- 03Tools and settings are chosen for the age group and reviewed before use.
- 04What student information may be collected or stored is defined in advance, in writing.
- 05Rules for recording, photography, testimonials, and student work are clear and permission based.
- 06Adults supervise every hands on AI and technology activity.
- 07Scam, privacy, and social engineering awareness are taught as practical skills, not warnings.
Responsible design for children
Rules for anything HxDF builds for young people.
The website and every future product favor agency, reflection, healthy boundaries, privacy, and transparency. No manipulative reward loops. No public sharing by default. No engagement at all costs.
How these rules shape the Student Digital Home and the companion
- 01No advertising, ever.
- 02No manipulative engagement loops, streaks, or artificial scarcity.
- 03No public by default profiles for children.
- 04No selling or exploiting student data. Journal content stays out of model training.
- 05No treating an AI system as a therapist, a friend, or a substitute for a trusted adult.
- 06No therapeutic or clinical claims, and no mood or mental health tracking unless independently reviewed and clearly optional.
- 07Clear data ownership, retention, deletion, export, and consent rules, documented before a line of code.
- 08Human safeguarding pathways for serious concerns.
- 09Design appropriate to each age, with independent privacy and child safety review before any launch.
- 10Designed for long term usefulness, not daily screen time.
Raising a concern
If something is wrong, tell us.
Concerns about a young person's safety, a volunteer's conduct, or how information was handled will be taken seriously, responded to by a named person, and escalated where the law requires.
Email hello@hxdf.org with the subject line Safeguarding, or use the contact form and choose Safeguarding concern.
A designated safeguarding lead and a dedicated contact channel will be named here before the first cohort begins.
Help us get this right