Policies: Session Guidelines & Quality

Overview

In addition to our Terms of Service, we have specific content and teaching policies that all teachers and tutors must follow when using Dojo Tutor. These policies are intended to support Dojo Tutor’s mission to give every kid an education they love.

At Dojo Tutor, we aspire to help each learner in a personalized way. We believe that teachers are in the best position to assess and prepare for sessions that meet the individual needs of each learner. We have created a set of policies to help guide and support teachers using the Dojo Tutor platform as they work with learners of different ages and backgrounds.

If a teacher violates these policies or otherwise causes harm, they may be removed from the platform and disallowed to use Dojo Tutor.

As Dojo Tutor grows, these policies will continue to evolve. We encouraged teachers to frequently review our policies and always use their best judgement.

1. Learner Safety & Well-Being

1.1. Physical, Emotional, and Financial Safety 

Sessions must not endanger or compromise the well-being of learners, intentionally or otherwise. This includes physical safety, emotional/mental well-being, and financial outcomes.

• Do not use examples or activities that could reasonably lead to physical harm or be interpreted as medical advice.
• Do not use examples or activities that could reasonably lead to financial harm or be interpreted as financial advice.
• Avoid unnecessarily graphic, violent, or disturbing scenarios, even when they are “just examples.”

1.2 Age Appropriateness

Sessions on Dojo Tutor should be appropriate for children as young as 4, unless clearly and

prominently stated otherwise in the class listing (including age range and content guidance).

• No profanity, nudity, sexual content, graphic violence, or intentionally frightening material.
• Historical or complex topics may be covered, but should be handled in an age-appropriate, non-graphic way.
• If class activities include cooking, physical movement, or online gaming, clearly explain any safety considerations and needed adult supervision in the class description.

1.3 Unsupported Topics

To reduce risk to learners, Dojo Tutor does not currently support sessions focused on:

• Any kind of therapy or treatment (including mental health/support groups, physical therapy, or speech therapy)
   

2. Inclusion, Respect, Accuracy, and Expertise

2.1 Inclusion and Respect for Learners

Sessions must not make learners feel excluded or discriminated against because of their beliefs, 

Identities, or backgrounds. Teachers should be professional, respectful, and kind at all times.

• Do not promote one religion, political stance, or worldview as “better” than others.
• Do not refuse to teach a learner based on their beliefs, cultural background, identity, or other protected characteristics.
• Do not harass, bully, or belittle learners. Tone and methods should always support a sense of safety and belonging.

2.2 Content Accuracy & Multiple Perspectives

Class content should be accurate and grounded in widely accepted knowledge, preponderance of

scientific evidence, and documentation by scholarly or reputable sources. Content should also be

inclusive of multiple perspectives and reflect historically marginalized groups where relevant.

• Do not share information whose accuracy is widely disputed by experts (e.g., conspiracy theories, pseudoscience).
• Present complex or contested topics in a balanced, age-appropriate way, and clarify when something is opinion, not fact.
• When teaching history, culture, or social topics, include perspectives of groups who have historically been marginalized.
• All class content must be secular or taught from a secular perspective. 
  • While religious history, texts, and traditions may be explored as academic or cultural subjects, classes may not promote, endorse, or be organized around any specific religious doctrine, practice, or worldview. 
  • This includes classes framed as faith-based instruction, scripture study, or religious devotion.

2.3 Teacher Expertise

Sessions on Dojo Tutor should be taught by teachers with appropriate expertise in the class topic.

• Expertise can come from academic study, professional practice, or substantial lived experience.
• For advanced topics, Dojo Tutor may request verification of expertise (e.g., coursework, sources used to develop materials, portfolio).
• Teachers are responsible for ensuring that content they present is accurate and appropriate for the age group.
   

3. Data Privacy, PII, and Online Safety

3.1 Personally Identifiable Information (PII)

Teachers should avoid sharing their own PII and should actively discourage learners from sharing

theirs.

PII includes (but is not limited to):

• First and last names
• Full birthdate
• Location (street address + city; sharing only state, province, or country is generally ok)
• Phone number
• Audio/visual recordings of learners
• Social media accounts
• Gamer tags/handles
• Learner-created content

If a learner shares PII, teachers should gently redirect and report the incident to Customer Support

as soon as possible.
 

3.2 Third-Party Tools & COPPA Compliance

Teachers may use appropriate third-party tools and digital resources in their online sessions. Any resource that learners access or interact with must comply with applicable laws, including COPPA (for U.S. learners under 13). 

• Before using a tool where learners click, type, or create content, teachers are responsible for checking that it is appropriate and compliant.
• Interactive resources should be clearly identified in the class description.
• Avoid external tools that display ads or user-generated content that may be inappropriate for children.

3.3 Gaming Servers and Gamer Tags/Handles

• Game-based learning and social groups should take place in private, teacher-moderated servers
  that are not accessible outside class sessions.
• Private servers should be closed/inaccessible when class is not in session.
• Gaming tags/handles are considered PII and should not be shared among learners.
• Do not encourage learners to add each other as friends or continue gaming together off-platform.

3.4 Lessonspace Links and Platform Access

All participants should join live sessions through the secure “Join Class” button on the Dojo Tutor

Platform. 

• Do not share Lessonspace links, meeting IDs, or passwords directly with learners or families.
• If someone requests the link, direct them back to the Dojo Tutor platform.
   

4. Classroom Operations & Supervision

4.1 Learner Verification

Teachers must verify that each participant is a child learner enrolled in the class.

• All learners enter the waiting room and are admitted by the teacher. 
• Within the first 30-60 seconds after joining, teachers should visually confirm each learner (camera on).
• Learners may turn cameras off after initial verification.
• If a learner cannot or will not turn on their camera:
  • Move them back to the waiting room to resolve technical issues.
  • Try again within 3 minutes.
  • If verification is still not possible, return them to the waiting room and contact Customer Support after class.

4.2 Teacher Presence & Classroom Safety

Teachers must remain present and supervisory throughout the class session.

• Teachers should keep their cameras on so they are visually identifiable to learners.
• Do not leave learners unsupervised in the Lessonspace room.
• If an adult appears to be attending a group class instead of a child (e.g., an adult seated directly in front of the camera as the “learner”), remove them from the session and notify Customer Support as soon as possible afterward.

4.3 Parent and Sibling Involvement

Dojo Tutor sessions are for enrolled child learners only.

• All attendees of a group class must be properly enrolled.
• Siblings may attend using a shared device only if each sibling is separately enrolled in the class.
• Adults, including parents/guardians, may not participate in class.
• It is normal for family members to appear briefly in the background at home. However:
  • If a background is inappropriate, the learner’s camera should be turned off and/or microphone muted.
  • Siblings or other family members should not be on camera actively participating in class activities or discussions.

4.4 Substitutes, Guest Speakers, and Co-Teachers

• Substitute teachers are not permitted for group classes. Sessions must be taught by the teacher who created the class.
• Guest speakers/guest teachers may not join live classes at this time.
• Co-teaching is not currently supported on Dojo Tutor.
   

5. Commercial Use, Advertising, and Copyright

5.1 Advertising and Conflicts of Interest

Teachers must not use sessions on Dojo Tutor to advertise their own or others’ services.

• Do not recommend the purchase of goods or services in ways that imply a personal financial benefit to you.
• Do not ask learners to subscribe to other educational platforms or your off-platform services during class.

5.2 For-Profit/Commercial Use of Resources

Teacher on Dojo Tutor are providing a for-profit service. Resources used in class should be eligible

for commercial use and respect copyright protections. 

• Ensure that lesson materials, images, videos, and handouts are either created by you, licensed for commercial use, or used with explicit permission from the copyright owner.
• Dojo Tutor is not responsible for the licenses or permissions of resources you choose to use.

5.3 Copyright and Class Materials

Teachers should not violate copyright laws during their sessions.

• You can include short excerpts (e.g. a brief quote or short audio clip) as examples for educational purposes.
• Do not play or distribute full copyrighted works (e.g., full audiobooks, movies, or songs) without permission.
• When sharing material lists, clearly list any required books, ingredients, or project supplies. If you use affiliate links for materials, disclose that they are affiliate links.
   

6. Class Listings, Materials, and Family Guidance

6.1 Class Listing Best Practices

Class listings must clearly communicate value, scope, and expectations so families can make
informed choices. 

• Class titles should not contain emojis or special characters and should clearly reflect the core topic or skill.
• Class descriptions should use emojis sparingly, and should clearly outline the topic of each weekly session or meeting. If weekly topics are learner-led, clearly state that instead of listing specific weekly themes.

6.2 Family/Guardian Guidance

Teachers are encouraged to provide robust guidance to help families select the right classes for
their learners.

• Clearly note any content that could be scary, upsetting, or intense, even if age-appropriate (e.g., discussions of injustice, difficult historical events).
• Call out activities that include cooking (with any heat or sharp tools), physical movement (where space and supervision matter), or online gaming (include platforms, tools, and safety considerations).
• Include any recommended adult supervision or safety setup in the description.

6.3 Class Materials

Learners who have the necessary materials are more likely to benefit fully from class.

• List all required or strongly recommended materials in the class description (e.g., books, ingredients, art supplies, devices).
• If any materials are optional or can be substituted, say so explicitly.
• If materials are linked via affiliate links, clearly disclose that the link is an affiliate link.
   

7. Summary of Teacher Responsibilities

Across all policies, teachers on Dojo Tutor are expected to:

• Prioritize learner safety and well-being.
• Create inclusive, respectful, age-appropriate learning environments.
• Use accurate, evidence-based content and teach within their expertise.
• Protect learner privacy and avoid sharing or soliciting PII
• Follow platform expectations for Lessonspace access, verification, and supervision.
• Respect copyright and use resources appropriately for commercial teaching.
• Communicate clearly with families about content, materials, and expectations.