How we keep online classes safe for kids
Short answer
Online tutoring is safe when classes happen on a private, supervised platform, tutors are background-checked, and all contact goes through that platform. At Wren School, every tutor is background-checked, classes run in private rooms only enrolled families can join, children under 13 can’t message anyone, and audio is recorded only with a parent’s consent.
Tutors
- Every Wren School tutor lives in the US or Canada.
- Every tutor passes a background check before teaching a class.
- Tutors contact families only through the Wren School platform, never by personal email, phone or social media.
Private classrooms
Classes run in Wren School’s own online classroom, not in a public video link. Each class has a private room. Only the assigned tutor, the enrolled students and Wren School staff can join, using a personal link that expires when the class ends. Tutors can mute or remove a participant if they need to.
Recording and consent
- We do not record class video.
- If a parent gives consent, we record that child’s audio during class so we can produce written class notes for families. The tutor’s audio is recorded for the same purpose.
- Without consent, your child still takes part fully, but their voice is not recorded.
- A “Recording for class notes” indicator is visible whenever recording is on.
- Audio is processed by an AI service to draft the notes, and the tutor can review and edit them before they are shared with families.
Messages stay on the platform
- Children under 13 cannot send messages. Only their parent can message the tutor.
- Teens can message their tutors only in threads their parent can also see.
- Phone numbers, email addresses and outside links in messages are blocked or flagged.
- Every message thread has a report button, and Wren School staff can review threads.
Children’s privacy law
United States. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) gives parents control over the personal information that online services collect from children under 13 (FTC). The Federal Trade Commission amended the COPPA Rule in 2025, and companies had until April 22, 2026 to comply (Federal Register). The amended rule requires, among other things, a written information security program and a written data retention policy, and it counts biometric identifiers, such as voiceprints, as personal information (eCFR, 16 CFR Part 312).
Canada. PIPEDA applies to private-sector organizations across Canada that collect, use or disclose personal information in commercial activities (Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada). Quebec’s Law 25 adds stricter rules, including parental consent for collecting information from children under 14 (Commission d’accès à l’information).
We do not sell personal information. Our privacy policy is being finalized with legal counsel and will set out exactly what we collect, why, and for how long.
What parents can do
- Sit in on the first classes, especially with younger children, and set up the class in a shared room.
- Ask your child what happens in class and who they talk to.
- Tell your child that a tutor should never ask them to chat somewhere else, keep a secret, or share personal details.
- Report anything that worries you. We would rather hear about something small than miss something important.
Our parent guide How to choose an online math tutor lists more questions to ask any tutoring provider.
Report a concern
Email hello@wrenschool.com with “Safety” in the subject line, or use the report button in the platform’s messages. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.