1. Policy Statement
1.1 WeAre8 is committed to safeguarding children from all forms of harm, including child sexual abuse and exploitation. We recognise that such harm can manifest in various forms, including grooming, exploitation and abuse, all of which violate an individual’s rights and dignity. Our zero-tolerance approach ensures that we act ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships.
1.2 WeAre8 is dedicated to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and safe community for all users ('Citizens') of our platform, the 8 app ('App'). We implement and enforce effective systems and controls to ensure that safeguarding practices are upheld within the App, our company, and in all interactions with and between Citizens.
1.3 WeAre8 is committed to transparency in our safeguarding practices and our approach to protecting children. We expect the same high standards from all our employees, contractors, suppliers, and other business partners. Our safeguarding practices are designed to build trust and provide a healthy social experience by eradicating inappropriate, illegal, and harmful content.
1.4 By using our Services or working with us, you agree not to share or promote any prohibited content on the App.
2. Types of Harm
2.1 Grooming: Grooming involves building a relationship, trust, and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit, and abuse them. Online grooming can occur through comments or other forms of digital communication on or via the App. WeAre8 is committed to identifying and preventing grooming activities on our platform by employing advanced monitoring tools and user education.
2.2 Exploitation: This includes any form of sexual exploitation of children, such as coercing or enticing a child to engage in sexual activities. This could involve sharing inappropriate images or videos that exploit children. WeAre8 actively monitors and removes any content or behaviour that suggests exploitation, ensuring a safe environment for all users.
2.3 Abuse: Child sexual abuse in the digital world may involve forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities through online interactions, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. This can include sharing explicit content or engaging in inappropriate conversations. WeAre8 has robust measures in place to detect and prevent any form of abuse on our platform, utilising real-time monitoring and user reporting mechanisms.
2.4 The WeAre8 Terms of Use on our website, available by clicking here, include a set of guidelines and principles that all Citizens must follow governing the use of content published on the App.
3. Responsibilities
3.1 User Responsibilities: Citizens and all users of the App are required to adhere to our safeguarding policies and report any content or behaviour that may constitute child sexual abuse or exploitation. Users and Citizens must avoid any activity that might lead to or suggest a breach of this policy.
3.2 Platform Responsibilities: WeAre8 employs advanced Artificial Intelligence monitoring tools to block prohibited content as soon as it is identified. Our dedicated team monitors all content regularly and takes immediate action to remove any content that violates our policy.
4. Detection, Reporting, and Response Mechanisms
4.1 Detection: WeAre8 uses an advanced AI monitoring framework tool and algorithm called the 8I engine to detect prohibited content in real-time, 24/7. This includes human monitoring for grooming, exploitation, and abuse-related content or interactions.
4.2 Reporting: Users and Citizens can report any concerns via the App's 'Get in Touch' button on the App’s settings or by contacting our support team by completing this form: Contact us form. All reports are taken seriously and escalated as necessary.
4.3 Response: Upon receiving a report, WeAre8 will immediately review the content and take appropriate action, including removal and reporting to relevant authorities if necessary. We are committed to supporting anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith.
5. Commitment to Transparency and Review
5.1 WeAre8 is committed to maintaining transparency in our safeguarding practices. We regularly review and update our policies to ensure they remain effective and up-to-date.
5.2 We encourage feedback and suggestions for improvement from all stakeholders. Comments and queries should be directed to Eugene Stetsko, our child safeguarding lead and VP of Strategy & Business Growth at eugene@weare8.com.
6. Training and Communication
6.1 WeAre8 provides regular training to both new and existing team members on moderation and safeguarding policies and procedures. This training ensures that all team members are aware of safeguarding issuesand know how to handle them, if any prohibited content is identified.
7. Data protection
7.1 WeAre8 is committed to protecting the data of all users, especially those under the age of 18.
7.2 All Citizens under the age of 18 are subject to WeAre8’s Child Friendly Privacy Notice, which is accessible by clicking here. Citizens under the age of 13 are not permitted to use the App, and WeAre8 is committed to monitoring its App and banning and removing content from children under the age of 13 years old.
7.3 WeAre8 employs a Data Protection Officer to monitor and manage WeAre8’s data protection policies, ensuring best practices are followed to protect sensitive information relating to its Citizens, or anyone working with or for us.
8. Review of this policy
81 This safeguarding policy is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it remains effective and up-to-date.
Last modified: March 10, 2025.
