Child safety
A lot of iMentorLink is used by people still at school. That changes what we owe them, and this page says what we actually do rather than what we intend to.
If a child is in immediate danger, call the South African Police Service on 10111, or Childline South Africa on 0800 055 555, free, 24 hours. Then tell us at info@imentorlink.co.za so we can act on the account.
Nobody under 13
We ask for a date of birth at registration and refuse anyone under 13. iMentorLink is not built for primary school and we do not pretend otherwise.
13 to 17 needs a parent or guardian
POPIA section 35 requires the consent of a parent or guardian before we may hold a child's information. So when someone under 18 registers:
- We ask for a parent or guardian email address and send them a link.
- Until they confirm, the account reaches nobody. It cannot be found in mentee search, cannot message anyone, and cannot send a mentorship request.
- The young person can sign in and look around while they wait, so they can see what they signed up for.
- If the guardian declines, the account is deleted immediately and we keep nothing.
- Once consent is given we delete the guardian address, because it was collected for one purpose and that purpose is finished.
A parent or guardian can withdraw consent at any time by writing to info@imentorlink.co.za. We close the account and confirm when it is done.
Every mentor is checked by a person
Identity and qualification documents are read by an administrator. No software makes that decision, and no mentor appears anywhere in search until it is made. Our AI assistant is deliberately never told who is verified, so it can never imply someone is safe.
Being honest about the limits: verification confirms identity and qualifications. It is not a criminal background check.
What we ask of mentors
Our terms require, when mentoring anyone under 18:
- Keep the conversation on the platform, where reporting and blocking work.
- Keep it about study and careers.
- Never arrange to meet a young person alone or privately. Involve a parent, guardian or school.
- Never ask for an ID number, banking details, a photograph or a personal contact detail.
- If something a young person says worries you about their safety, tell us.
Breaking these ends an account immediately, without a warning.
For parents and guardians
You can ask us, at any time, and we will answer:
- To see everything we hold about your child.
- To have it corrected or deleted.
- To withdraw your consent and close the account.
- Who your child has been in contact with on the platform.
Write to info@imentorlink.co.za.
Reporting
Every profile and message can be reported from inside the app, and anyone can be blocked. Reports about a young person's safety go to the front of the queue.
You do not need to be certain. If something feels wrong, report it and let us look. That is what we are here for.
Where else to get help
| Childline South Africa | 0800 055 555, free, 24 hours |
|---|---|
| SAPS emergency | 10111 |
| SADAG (mental health and crisis) | 0800 567 567 |
| Gender based violence command centre | 0800 428 428 |
| iMentorLink | info@imentorlink.co.za |