Safety & Young People

1. HESSY is 16+

You must be at least 16 to create an account. Being allowed to join does not mean every interaction is automatically safe. Members aged 16 or 17 should receive stronger privacy and safety protections because they are still children.

2. Privacy first

New profiles should start with restrictive visibility. Do not publish your home address, school or college timetable, regular travel route, phone number or precise live location. Think carefully before moving a conversation to another app where HESSY reporting or moderation cannot help.

3. Adults interacting with young people

Adults must not sexualise, groom, pressure or exploit a young member; request intimate images; use gifts or threats to obtain sexual contact; or deliberately isolate a young person from trusted friends or adults. HESSY may act quickly where behaviour creates a safeguarding risk.

4. Images and private messages

Never pressure somebody into sending an image. Do not redistribute a private image or message without permission. Once something is sent, the recipient may still be able to save or screenshot it.

5. Reporting

Use the Report control on content or profiles when possible. If the issue involves grooming, sexual exploitation, credible threats, stalking, serious self-harm risk or other immediate safety concerns, explain that clearly in the report. You can also contact royscarrott@rsbse.co.uk.

6. Immediate danger

HESSY is not an emergency service. If somebody is in immediate danger in the UK, call 999. If you are under 19 and need confidential support, Childline can be reached free on 0800 1111. Samaritans can be reached free, day or night, on 116 123.

7. Safety by design

HESSY should keep children’s best interests central when changing privacy, recommendations, notifications, location features, messaging, moderation or connected-platform features. New higher-risk features should be risk assessed before release.

8. Age assurance

A simple age declaration may not be enough for every future HESSY feature. If law or the risk level requires stronger age assurance, HESSY may need to introduce proportionate, privacy-respecting checks.