Sprout is a sustainability magazine created by kids, for kids. Because our contributors and readers are children, their safety and privacy come first in everything we do. This policy explains how we protect young people who use our website and submit content.

Parental and Guardian Consent

• All contributors under 18 must have a parent or guardian's permission before submitting articles, photos, or artwork.

• Consent must be given by a parent or guardian for every young contributor before their work is published.

• Parents or guardians can withdraw consent at any time by contacting us, and we will remove the child's published work promptly.

  What We Collect and What We Don't

We collect only the minimum information needed to run the magazine:

• We collect: the contributor's first name (or a chosen pen name), submission, their hometown and/or state and a parent/guardian contact email.

• We never collect or publish: surnames, home addresses, phone numbers or social media handles.

• We do not sell, share, or trade any personal information with third parties.

Publishing Rules

To keep our contributors safe, we follow these rules for everything we publish:

• Children are identified by first name or pen name only (e.g. "By Mia, age 9").

• Photos submitted by kids must not include any people.

Content Moderation

• Every submission is reviewed by an adult editor before it appears on the website.

• We do not allow comments sections or public messaging features that would let strangers contact our contributors.

• Any content that is inappropriate, unsafe, or reveals personal information will not be published.

Communication with Contributors

• All communication about submissions goes through the parent or guardian's email address, not directly to the child.

• Sprout staff and volunteers will never request private contact with a child contributor.

Safe Environment Commitments

• We follow the guidance of the eSafety Commissioner and applicable privacy laws, including the Australian Privacy Act.

• We have a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, grooming, or any behaviour that puts children at risk.

Reporting Concerns

If you see anything on our website that concerns you, or if you believe a child's safety or privacy has been compromised:

• Contact us immediately at hello@sproutmagazineforkids.com.au.

• We will investigate all reports within 7 business days and remove any content of concern while we do.

• Serious concerns will be reported to the appropriate authorities, including the eSafety Commissioner (esafety.gov.au) where relevant.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Significant changes will be communicated to parents and guardians.