Date: October 2025
Review Date: October 2026
Coordinator: Kirsten Roy
Nominated Governor: Claire Farmer
Version: v10.25
Refreshed for OSA 2023 + Diamond AI — signed off April 2026
This policy was refreshed on 2026-04-29 to align with Online Safety Act 2023 (phased duties on user-to-user services), DfE Cyber Security Standards for Schools 2024, DfE Filtering and Monitoring Standards 2024, Generative AI in Education (DfE 2025), ICO Children’s Code, and the Haven’s Diamond AI posture — work with AI; do not offload decisions to AI; do not defer entirely from AI.
Status: live — signed off 29 April 2026 by Proprietor and Governing Body.
In our increasingly digital world, understanding how to protect our children’s online privacy
and safety is paramount. This guide aims to provide you with essential information about the
Navigating the Digital Age of Consent_ A Guide for Parents at The Haven Academy in the UK and practical steps to support your child’s online wellbeing.
What Is the Navigating the Digital Age of Consent_ A Guide for Parents at The Haven Academy?
The Navigating the Digital Age of Consent_ A Guide for Parents at The Haven Academy refers to the minimum age at which a child can legally consent to
the processing of their personal data by online services. In the UK, this age is set at 13. This
means that children under 13 require parental consent to sign up for most online platforms
that collect personal data, such as social media sites and apps .
️Key Legislation Protecting Children Online
1. UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)
● Age Requirement: Children under 13 cannot consent to data processing; parental
consent is mandatory.
● Parental Role: Parents must provide consent for their children’s data to be
processed by online services .
2. Children’s Code (Age Appropriate Design Code)
● Purpose: Ensures online services are designed with children’s best interests in mind.
● Requirements: Services must implement high privacy settings by default and
provide clear information suitable for children .
3. Online Safety Act 2023
● Objective: Mandates online platforms to protect users from harmful content.
● Child Protection: Requires platforms to prevent children from accessing
inappropriate content and to implement robust age verification systems .
AI and your child’s online life
Generative AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Snapchat’s My AI, character chatbots, image and video generators) are now part of how children engage online. This brings opportunities — accessibility support, study help, creativity — and new risks.
The Haven’s approach is the Diamond AI posture: work with AI, don’t offload decisions to AI, don’t defer entirely from AI. We don’t ban it and we don’t blindly adopt it. We support learners to use AI thoughtfully and within boundaries.
What parents and carers can usefully know:
- AI chatbots are not friends or therapists. Some children form intense attachments to character chatbots. These tools can simulate empathy without offering it; they can also handle disclosures of distress poorly. If your child is using companion AI tools, regular conversations about who they really turn to in distress matter.
- Deepfakes and AI-generated images. AI image and video generators can be used to create non-consensual intimate imagery, including of classmates. This is an offence under the Online Safety Act 2023 and constitutes child sexual abuse material when minors are depicted. If your child encounters or is affected by AI-generated imagery, treat it as a safeguarding matter and contact the Kirsten Roy.
- AI in homework. Schools, including The Haven, are working through how to support AI use that genuinely supports learning rather than replaces it. We talk to learners about this directly. Your support in encouraging your child to use AI as a thinking partner — not a thinking replacement — aligns with our Diamond posture.
- Data and AI. Many free AI tools train on user inputs. Encourage your child not to paste personal information, photos, or schoolwork containing identifying details into public AI services.
If you have concerns about your child’s AI use, please contact our pastoral team or the Kirsten Roy.
Practical Steps for Parents
- Open Communication: Engage in regular conversations with your child about their
online activities and the importance of privacy.
- Parental Controls: Utilize parental control features on devices and apps to monitor
and limit your child’s online exposure.
- Educate About Consent: Teach your child about the significance of consent and the
implications of sharing personal information online.
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest online trends and platforms your child
may be using.
- Report Concerns: Encourage your child to report any uncomfortable online
experiences, and know how to report issues to relevant authorities or platforms.
Resources for Further Support
● UK Safer Internet Centre: Offers guidance on online safety for parents and carers.
Visit Website
● Internet Matters: Provides resources to help keep children safe online. Visit Website
● Childnet International: Delivers advice and resources for parents on internet safety.
Visit Website
At The Haven, we are committed to partnering with parents to ensure our students navigate
the digital world safely and responsibly. Should you have any concerns or require further
assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our pastoral care team.