Last updated: 12/02/2026

1. Purpose

LinkyThinks delivers live online tuition to children aged 7–16. As an online provider, we recognise that safeguarding includes specific digital and online risks.

The purpose of this policy is to outline how LinkyThinks promotes online safety, manages digital risks, and sets clear expectations for pupils, parents and tutors.

This policy should be read alongside the LinkyThinks Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, Information Security Policy and People Policy.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• all live online tuition sessions delivered via Zoom

• all digital homework submission processes

• all digital communication between tutors, pupils and parents

• all digital platforms used to deliver or support learning

3. Principles

LinkyThinks is committed to:

• providing a safe, structured and professionally supervised online learning environment

• setting clear behavioural expectations for pupils and tutors

• minimising the risk of inappropriate content, contact or conduct

• ensuring transparency with parents regarding how online sessions operate

We recognise that, as an out-of-school tuition provider, parents retain primary responsibility for supervising their child’s use of technology at home. However, LinkyThinks takes reasonable and proportionate steps to manage risk within our sessions.

4. Online Platform and Session Controls

4.1 Live Sessions

All lessons are delivered live via Zoom.

The following safeguards are in place:

• All sessions are recorded for safeguarding and training purposes

• Recordings are securely stored on an encrypted cloud server

• Access to recordings is restricted to LinkyThinks Directors only

• Private chat between pupils is disabled

• Tutors may send messages to the whole class

• Pupils may message the tutor privately where necessary (for example to raise a concern)

• Breakout rooms are used rarely and only where appropriate

Tutors are not permitted to conduct unrecorded private sessions outside the approved platform.

4.2 Camera Requirements

Pupils are required to have their camera switched on during sessions.

The tutor must be able to see the pupil’s full face. This supports:

• engagement and safeguarding

• monitoring of wellbeing

• prevention of inappropriate behaviour or multitasking

Whilst LinkyThinks cannot control external devices or browser use in a pupil’s home environment, tutors monitor engagement and address concerns where necessary.

5. Homework and Digital Submissions

Homework is typically submitted by parents by photographing written work and uploading it to the child’s individual Dropbox Paper file.

In some cases, older pupils may have view-only access to assignments and submission folders via their own email address.

Safeguards include:

• Parents remain the primary point of contact

• Tutors do not engage in informal digital messaging outside approved systems

• Access to shared files is limited and role-based

6. Use of External Content

Tutors may share videos, educational websites or resources via screen share during lessons.

LinkyThinks:

• assesses all shared materials for age-appropriate content and language

• avoids open browsing during sessions

• does not share direct clickable links in chat during lessons

Content is selected in advance where possible and is educational in nature.

7. Communication Boundaries

Communication expectations are as follows:

• Primary communication is with parents or guardians

• Tutors do not use personal email, social media or messaging apps to contact pupils

• Pupils are not permitted to contact tutors via personal accounts

• Any safeguarding or wellbeing concern raised via chat is reported to the DSL

8. Parent Involvement

Some parents choose to sit in on lessons or remain present in the room. LinkyThinks does not require or prohibit this.

We operate on the assumption that a parent or guardian may be listening at any time.

Where pupils attend unsupervised, parents retain responsibility for home supervision and device controls.

9. Online Behaviour Expectations for Pupils

Pupils are expected to:

• behave respectfully towards tutors and peers

• keep cameras on and remain appropriately dressed

• avoid using inappropriate language

• not record sessions independently

• not share meeting links or session details

Inappropriate behaviour may result in removal from a session and communication with parents.

10. Online Behaviour Expectations for Tutors

Tutors must:

• maintain professional boundaries at all times

• conduct sessions only via approved platforms

• avoid one-to-one contact outside scheduled sessions

• report any online safeguarding concerns immediately

• ensure their own background and environment are appropriate

Any breach may result in disciplinary action.

11. Managing Online Safety Concerns

Online safety concerns may include:

• inappropriate content exposure

• concerning behaviour in chat

• signs of distress or harm

• cyberbullying

• indications of radicalisation or extremist views

All concerns must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead in line with the Safeguarding Policy.

Where necessary, referrals will be made to appropriate statutory services.

12. PREVENT and Online Radicalisation

LinkyThinks recognises that online platforms can expose children to extremist material.

Tutors receive PREVENT awareness training and are alert to signs of radicalisation, including:

• sudden changes in language or ideology

• extremist references

• isolation or fixation on harmful narratives

Concerns are reported to the DSL and handled in line with statutory guidance.

13. Data Protection and Information Security

Digital information is handled in line with:

• UK GDPR

• the Data Protection Act 2018

• the LinkyThinks Information Security Policy

Access to digital platforms is restricted to authorised users and monitored appropriately.

14. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if guidance, legislation or organisational practice changes.