Social Media & Online Safety Policy

Purpose

To set out the standards for staff, students and parents using USDD-related online spaces and social media.

Class & Group Chats

Class WhatsApp groups are administered by an authorised USDD staff member, used for class-related updates only, and reviewed regularly. Under-18s are added only with parental consent.

Livestreams & Online Courses

• Livestreams use waiting rooms / private links and are not publicly indexable.
• Recorded content is reviewed before publication.
• Teachers do not provide 1:1 video sessions to under-18s without a chaperone or parent present.

Social Media

• Staff do not friend / follow under-18 students from personal accounts.
• USDD social channels follow the Photography & Media Consent policy.
• Hateful, discriminatory or harmful comments are removed and the user blocked.

Reporting Online Harm

Any suspected online safeguarding concern is reported to the DSL the same day and, where appropriate, to CEOP (ceop.police.uk).

Review & Contact

This policy is owned by USDD Networks (the legal entity operating Up Side Down Dance Academy (USDD Academy)) and reviewed at least annually, or sooner if legislation, statutory guidance or organisational structure changes. Reviewed annually · Last review: May 2026.

For enquiries relating to this policy: info@usddnetworks.co.uk.