Community Guidelines / Acceptable Use
Effective Date: [EFFECTIVE DATE] Last Updated: [LAST UPDATED] Version: 2.0
KidStarter exists to support students' educational needs safely and transparently. These Community Guidelines define acceptable conduct and content on the Service and apply to all Users. They form part of the Agreement (see Terms of Service).
1. Child Safety — Zero Tolerance
The following are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate removal, account termination, and reporting to law enforcement and/or child protection authorities (including NCMEC, IWF, and applicable agencies):
1.1. Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM): Any sexual, sexually suggestive, or exploitative content involving minors, including images, text, audio, or video.
1.2. Grooming: Any attempt to build a relationship with a minor for the purpose of sexual exploitation, abuse, or manipulation.
1.3. Solicitation: Requesting direct contact with a minor, requesting personal information from a minor, or attempting to communicate privately with a minor through or in connection with the Service.
1.4. Identifying Information Exposure: Deliberately or negligently exposing identifying information about a minor (full names, addresses, phone numbers, school names, schedules, or any information enabling identification or location).
There are no exceptions, appeals, or second chances for violations involving child exploitation.
2. Harassment, Hate, and Harm
2.1. Hate Speech: Content that promotes, incites, or glorifies hatred, discrimination, or violence against individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic.
2.2. Threats and Intimidation: Direct or implied threats of violence, physical harm, doxxing, swatting, or intimidation.
2.3. Harassment and Bullying: Targeted, repeated, or severe harassment, bullying, humiliation, or intimidation of any individual, including Students, Creators, Donors, or staff.
2.4. Self-Harm and Violence Encouragement: Content that encourages, glorifies, or provides instructions for self-harm, suicide, or violence.
Examples: Sending threatening messages to a Creator; posting hateful comments on a Campaign; attempting to shame a Student.
3. Fraud and Misrepresentation
3.1. False Campaigns: Creating Campaigns based on fabricated needs, fictional Students, or exaggerated circumstances.
3.2. Fake Documentation: Submitting forged, altered, or falsified verification documents (e.g., authorization letters, invoices, proof of enrollment).
3.3. Impersonation: Impersonating another person, school, organization, or KidStarter staff.
3.4. Misleading Claims: Making false or misleading claims about tax deductibility, guaranteed outcomes, endorsements, or KidStarter's involvement.
3.5. Duplicate Campaigns: Creating multiple Campaigns for the same need to deceive Donors.
Examples: Creating a Campaign for a non-existent student; photoshopping a school letterhead; claiming donations are tax-deductible when the recipient is not tax-exempt.
4. Privacy Violations
4.1. Doxxing: Publishing or threatening to publish personal or private information about any individual without their consent.
4.2. Stalking: Using the Service to monitor, track, or surveil any individual.
4.3. Data Scraping: Automated or systematic collection of data from the Service without authorization.
4.4. Third-Party Data: Posting personal data of third parties (including other Students, families, or staff) without lawful basis and consent.
Examples: Sharing a Creator's home address; scraping Donor email addresses; posting a class roster.
5. Intellectual Property Violations
5.1. Copyright Infringement: Uploading content you do not own or have permission to use, including images, text, music, or videos owned by others.
5.2. Trademark Infringement: Using trademarks, logos, or brand names in a way that is misleading or unauthorized.
5.3. See the DMCA Copyright Policy for the takedown and counter-notice process.
6. Spam and Manipulation
6.1. Sending unsolicited messages, comments, or invitations through the Service.
6.2. Artificially inflating Campaign metrics (views, shares, donations) through bots, scripts, or coordinated inauthentic behavior.
6.3. Creating accounts solely for promotional purposes unrelated to educational fundraising.
7. Financial Misconduct
7.1. Using the Service for money laundering, terrorist financing, sanctions evasion, or tax evasion.
7.2. Using stolen payment instruments.
7.3. Engaging in any financial crime or assisting others in doing so.
8. Enforcement — Graduated Response
KidStarter applies a graduated enforcement approach, except for child safety and legal violations which result in immediate action.
8.1 Enforcement Levels
| Level | Trigger | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Warning | First minor violation (e.g., accidental PII exposure, borderline content) | Notification, content edit/removal, guidance |
| Content Removal | Policy-violating content identified | Content removed; Creator notified with reason |
| Campaign Pause | Repeated or moderate violations; pending investigation | Campaign hidden from public; Creator notified |
| Account Restriction | Pattern of violations or serious single violation | Reduced permissions (e.g., cannot create new Campaigns) |
| Account Suspension | Serious or repeated violations; fraud; harassment | Full account suspension; pending review |
| Permanent Ban | Child exploitation; severe fraud; legal violations; repeated serious offenses | Permanent account termination; reporting to processors and/or authorities |
8.2 Immediate Action (No Warning)
The following result in immediate suspension or ban without prior warning:
- Any child exploitation content or grooming attempt;
- Confirmed fraud or forged documentation;
- Threats of violence;
- Severe hate speech;
- Sanctions or AML violations;
- Legal orders requiring action.
8.3 Strike System
For non-immediate violations, KidStarter operates a three-strike system within a rolling 12-month period:
- Strike 1: Warning + content action.
- Strike 2: Campaign pause + temporary account restriction (14 days).
- Strike 3: Account suspension pending review; may result in permanent ban.
Strikes may be escalated based on severity.
9. Reporting
Any User may report a Campaign, content, or User for violating these Guidelines:
- In-App: Use the "Report" button on any Campaign page, comment, or user profile.
- Email: [REPORT LINK OR EMAIL]
- Urgent Safety Concerns: [REPORT LINK OR EMAIL] with "URGENT" in the subject line.
Reports are reviewed by KidStarter's Trust & Safety team. Reporters are not identified to the reported party.
10. Appeals
10.1. If your content is removed or your account is restricted, you will receive a notification explaining the reason.
10.2. You may appeal by contacting [SUPPORT EMAIL] within 14 days of the notification, providing:
- your account information;
- the specific action you are appealing;
- additional context, documentation, or explanation.
10.3. Appeals are reviewed by a member of the Trust & Safety team not involved in the original decision.
10.4. KidStarter will use reasonable efforts to respond to appeals within 10 business days.
10.5. No appeal is available for confirmed child exploitation content or confirmed fraud.
11. Transparency
KidStarter may publish aggregate moderation metrics (e.g., number of reports received, content removed, accounts suspended) in periodic transparency reports, without identifying any individual User.
12. Changes
We may update these Community Guidelines from time to time. Material changes will be communicated through the Service or via email. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.
13. Contact
Report Violations: [REPORT LINK OR EMAIL] Appeals: [SUPPORT EMAIL] General Support: [SUPPORT EMAIL]