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For Parents and Guardians
Ditch the Label is a global youth charity here to help young people aged 12-25 through the issues affecting them the most. These issues are broad and include sensitive topics such as mental health, bullying, identity, body image and relationships. Ditch the Label has been working in this space for over 10-years and proudly works in partnership with Government, brand partners, charities and other experts and thought leaders.
Our primary objective is to provide meaningful and impactful advice and support to young people.
What is this Community?
Our online support community is one of the many ways in which we deliver impact to young people and is an anonymous, confidential safe space for our members to get qualified advice and support from our team of therapists and fully trained mentors. We also provide facilitated peer-to-peer support, as research consistently shows the enormous benefit of peer-to-peer mixed with therapeutic interventions. This community is also completely free and all of our services are offered without charge.
Is this a safe platform for my child to be using?
The safety of our members is our number one priority. We operate the strictest standards of safeguarding and use both AI and human moderation to keep our community a genuinely safe space for those who need it. We strongly prohibit the sharing of personal information; this includes real names, location, school names, email addresses, social media handles and the sharing of photos that could be used to identify an individual - such as selfies. We do not allow our members to communicate with each other privately and all communication is moderated and reviewed by our Community Moderators and Support Mentors. For over a decade, Ditch the Label has led the way when it comes to implementing the strictest standards and protocols for safety.
What if my child makes a disclosure or is in a dangerous situation?
If your child discloses that they, or somebody that they know is either in a dangerous, or at risk of being in a dangerous situation, our therapists and mentors are trained to escalate these cases to the relevant authorities. Whilst our member accounts are anonymous, we are able to work with the police and other relevant authorities to locate a member and are able to quickly connect them with support.
Can I, as a parent join this platform?
No, this platform is strictly for young people aged 12-25. We do allow exceptions for vulnerable adults. These age guidelines are essential for keeping our community a safe and confidential space for our members.
How do I request my child's data?
Unless you have the consent of your child, or you hold parental responsibility for a vulnerable child, we are unable to share your child’s data. This is to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of our platform and the ways in which your child chooses to engage with it. Sometimes a young person may need advice and support from a clinically trained therapist or mentor before the are ready to speak openly with a parent or guardian. It is important to respect the right to privacy and can be valuable to allow your child the opportunity to discover themselves in a safe environment. We also recognise that in rare circumstances, an invasion of child privacy could put them at risk of danger. We do not share your child’s data with anybody and are led by the ICO guidelines, along with guidance from organisations such as 5Rights and the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Can you help me, help my child?
Yes, we are always happy to give parents and guardians advice on how to best support and talk to your child. Please keep in mind that we will never break the confidentiality of our service users outside of the reasons outlined in our Safeguarding Policy, or unless your child gives us permission. You can contact us at any time here.
What if I have any concerns or questions?
We'd love to hear from you. If you have any further questions or would like to find out more about us, please contact us. You can also review Ditch the Label's safeguarding policy, privacy policy and other legal documents in the Legal Centre.