Child Sexual Abuse & Exploitation (CSAE) Standards

MentorMe Social Networking ("we", "us", or "our") operates a networking platform connecting mentees and mentors for mentorship and career guidance. We have a strict zero-tolerance policy toward child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) in all forms. These Standards explain how we work to keep minors safe on our platform, how we respond to violations, and how users and guardians can report concerns.

1. Zero-Tolerance Policy

We do not allow any content, behaviour, or interaction that sexualises, exploits, or endangers minors. This includes, without limitation, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), grooming, sexualised messaging, solicitation of personal or intimate information from minors, and any attempt to arrange unauthorised in-person contact. Violations result in immediate account removal, permanent ban, and reporting to the relevant authorities.

2. Age Requirements & Guardian Oversight

• Users under 18 must link a legal guardian (21 years or older) to their account before they can connect or message.
• Guardians receive view-only access to the minor's connections, messages, and sessions for safety oversight.
• Guardians can report content of concern directly to our admin team for immediate review.
• Minors cannot disable guardian oversight or remove the guardian link on their own.

3. Proactive Prevention

• Profiles are reviewed and accounts require email verification before networking features unlock.
• Messaging is monitored for safety signals, and suspicious activity is flagged for review.
• We do not permit private, unmonitored channels — all communication is stored on our servers and accessible to the linked guardian and admins for oversight.
• In-person session details are visible to both participants and, for minors, to the guardian.

4. Reporting & Enforcement

Any user or guardian can report a concern via the in-app reporting tools, the Help & Feedback feature, or by contacting our admin team. We act on credible reports promptly — typically within 24 hours — and may suspend accounts, preserve evidence, and report to law enforcement and child-protection authorities, including the South African Police Service and the Films and Publications Board, where applicable.

5. Content Removal & Record Keeping

When CSAE-related content is identified, we remove it from the platform, terminate the offending account, and retain records as required by law to support investigations and prevent re-offending. We do not redistribute, duplicate, or store unlawful imagery.

6. Compliance with Legal Frameworks

• South Africa: Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act (Cybercrimes Act), Films and Publications Amendment Act, and the Children's Act.
• International: We align our practices with platform-safety expectations and cooperate with global child-protection authorities.
• We comply with lawful requests from authorities and report suspected CSAE offences to the appropriate bodies.

7. Education & Awareness

We provide guidance to minors and guardians on safe online interactions, recognising grooming behaviour, and reporting concerns. We encourage open communication between minors and their guardians about their activity on the platform.

8. Designated Contact

Reports of child sexual abuse or exploitation should be made through the in-app reporting tools for the fastest response. You can also report any such cases directly to our admin team by email at info@mentor-me-networking.com. For urgent safeguarding concerns, contact our admin team immediately. If a child is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services.

9. Changes to These Standards

We may update these Standards to reflect legal, regulatory, or platform changes. Material updates will be communicated through the platform. Continued use of MentorMe Social Networking constitutes acceptance of the revised Standards.