Child Safety Standards

PorchTalk, operated by Halite & Ember, is committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) on our platform. This page outlines the standards, practices, and enforcement mechanisms we have in place.

1. Zero tolerance policy

PorchTalk has a strict zero-tolerance policy against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and any content that sexualises, exploits, or endangers minors. This includes text, imagery, or any other content that:

• Depicts or describes sexual acts involving minors
• Solicits or grooms minors for sexual purposes
• Facilitates or promotes child trafficking or exploitation
• Shares or links to CSAM in any form

Any account found engaging in such conduct will be permanently banned and reported to the relevant authorities immediately.

2. Age restrictions

PorchTalk is only for adults aged 18 and over, including users who post without an account and users who apply to be verified Imorans. We do not knowingly collect personal data from anyone under 18. If we become aware that someone under 18 is using PorchTalk, we will immediately delete their account, content and associated data.

3. Content moderation

All posts and responses submitted to PorchTalk are subject to moderation. Our moderation process includes:

• Human review of all content before it is published
• Immediate removal of any content that violates our child safety standards
• Permanent banning of users who submit CSAM or CSAE-related content
• Reporting to relevant authorities in accordance with applicable law

4. In-app reporting

Users can report any post or response that they believe violates our child safety standards directly within the app. Reports are reviewed promptly by our moderation team. Content flagged for child safety concerns is prioritised and reviewed as a matter of urgency.

5. Reporting to authorities

Halite & Ember complies with all applicable child safety laws, including mandatory reporting requirements. Any CSAM discovered on our platform is reported to the relevant national authorities, including:

• The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) in the United Kingdom
• The National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) CyberTipline
• Local law enforcement agencies in the jurisdiction of the reported user, where identifiable

6. Designated contact

We have a designated point of contact for child safety concerns who is responsible for overseeing our CSAE prevention practices and ensuring compliance with applicable laws and platform policies.

If you have information about a child being abused or exploited on our platform, please contact us immediately at the address above or use the in-app reporting feature. In an emergency, contact your local law enforcement.

7. Platform design

PorchTalk is designed to facilitate anonymous peer support, not direct messaging or private communication between users. This architecture limits opportunities for grooming or exploitation. There are no private chats, direct messages, or user-to-user contact features on the platform.