Online Safety Procedure

Effective date: 25 September 2026
Review date: September 2027

1. Purpose

Motion Film Academy recognises that students regularly use social media, messaging services, gaming platforms and other online services.

Students should be able to use technology safely and responsibly, particularly when creating and sharing film and video content.

2. Academy communications

Adults working for the academy must use appropriate academy-approved methods of communication with students.

They must not:

  • Use personal social media accounts to communicate privately with students.
  • Engage in inappropriate or unnecessary private messaging with students.
  • Send inappropriate images, videos or other content to students.
  • Request inappropriate images or information from students.

3. Filming and photography

Students may take part in filming and photography as part of academy activities.

The academy will:

  • Obtain appropriate parental/carer permissions where required.
  • Handle images and videos responsibly.
  • Store student content securely.
  • Only publish student content through approved channels and in accordance with applicable permissions.
  • Avoid publishing unnecessary personal information alongside images or videos.

Students must not film or photograph other students inappropriately or share their images or recordings without appropriate permission.

4. Social media and sharing

Students are responsible for using social media and online platforms responsibly.

They must not use academy-related content to:

  • Bully, threaten or harass another person.
  • Share intimate, humiliating or inappropriate material.
  • Reveal another student’s personal information.
  • Impersonate another person.
  • Share content that could place another student at risk.

5. Online safeguarding concerns

Any concern involving online bullying, grooming, exploitation, inappropriate contact, sexualised content, threats or other potential harm must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

The academy will take appropriate action and may involve parents/carers, the police or relevant safeguarding services where necessary.

6. Artificial intelligence and digital tools

Students may use artificial intelligence and other digital tools where permitted as part of filmmaking activities.

They must not use such tools to create or distribute sexualised, humiliating, threatening or otherwise harmful content involving another person.

7. Review

This procedure will be reviewed annually and following any significant incident or change to relevant technology, safeguarding guidance or academy activities.

Next review: September 2027