Our Commitment to Safety
Language Cafe is committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment where everyone can practice languages without fear of harassment or abuse. We believe that language learning thrives in supportive communities, and we take safety seriously.
Community Values
Our community is built on these core values:
- Respect: Treat everyone with dignity, regardless of language level, nationality, or background
- Inclusion: Welcome learners of all ages, cultures, and skill levels
- Support: Encourage and help fellow learners on their language journey
- Safety: Protect each other from harm, harassment, and inappropriate content
- Authenticity: Be genuine and honest in your interactions
Community Guidelines
1. Be Respectful and Kind
- Treat all users with respect and courtesy
- Be patient with learners at different skill levels
- Offer constructive feedback, not criticism
- Celebrate diversity in languages, cultures, and perspectives
- Remember that everyone is here to learn and improve
2. No Harassment or Bullying
We have zero tolerance for:
- Harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any kind
- Stalking or unwanted persistent contact
- Threats of violence or harm
- Doxxing (sharing someone's personal information without consent)
- Creating accounts to evade blocks or bans
3. No Hate Speech or Discrimination
We prohibit content that promotes hatred or discrimination based on:
- Race, ethnicity, or national origin
- Religion or belief system
- Gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation
- Disability or health condition
- Age, immigration status, or socioeconomic status
4. Keep Content Appropriate
- All content must be appropriate for a diverse, international audience
- No sexually explicit content, nudity, or pornography
- No graphic violence or gore
- No content promoting illegal activities
- No spam, scams, or deceptive content
5. Protect Privacy
- Do not share personal information about others without their consent
- Do not record voice rooms without explicit permission from all participants
- Be cautious about sharing your own personal information
- Report any attempts to collect personal information inappropriately
6. Voice Room Conduct
- Respect the room's topic, language, and rules
- Follow the host's moderation decisions
- Raise your hand and wait to be invited to speak
- Avoid background noise and interruptions when speaking
- Be mindful of different time zones and cultures
Age Requirements and Minor Safety
Minimum Age
Language Cafe is available to users aged 13 and older. Users under 13 are not permitted to create accounts or use the App.
Users Aged 13-17
We take additional precautions to protect users under 18:
- Content Restrictions: Users under 18 cannot access voice rooms marked as "18+ only" or "Mature Content"
- Content Warnings: Rooms discussing sensitive topics display warnings before entry
- Parental Awareness: We encourage parents to discuss online safety and review their child's app usage
- Reporting: Minors can report inappropriate behavior at any time
Protecting Minors
We strictly prohibit:
- Sexual content involving minors in any form
- Grooming or inappropriate contact with minors
- Encouraging minors to share personal information
- Any content that endangers or exploits minors
Violations involving minors will result in immediate account termination and may be reported to law enforcement.
Content Moderation
How We Moderate
- User Reports: Users can report content or behavior that violates our guidelines
- Host Moderation: Voice room hosts can mute, remove, or ban participants
- Review Process: Our team reviews reported content and takes appropriate action
- Content Flags: Sensitive content must be appropriately flagged by creators
Enforcement Actions
Depending on the severity and frequency of violations, we may:
- Issue a warning
- Temporarily suspend your account
- Permanently ban your account
- Remove content without notice
- Report illegal activity to law enforcement
Safety Features
We provide tools to help you stay safe on Language Cafe:
Blocking
Block any user who makes you uncomfortable. Blocked users:
- Cannot send you messages
- Cannot see your posts or profile
- Cannot join voice rooms you host
- Will not appear in your search results
Reporting
Report users or content that violates our guidelines:
- Tap the "..." menu on any profile, post, or in a voice room
- Select "Report" and choose the reason
- Add details to help us investigate
- Reports are confidential
Privacy Controls
- Control who can see your profile information
- Manage notification preferences
- Choose what information to share publicly
Voice Room Safety
For Participants
- You can leave any room at any time
- Report inappropriate behavior to the host or through the app
- Your microphone is off by default when joining as audience
- Block users who harass you in rooms
For Hosts
- You are responsible for moderating your room
- Remove participants who violate guidelines
- Mark rooms appropriately (sensitive content, 18+)
- Report serious violations to our team
Location Data
Language Cafe collects country/region information only (not precise location) for the following purposes:
- Time Zone Matching: Connect you with learners in similar time zones for easier scheduling
- Regional Communities: Help you find local language learning groups
- Language Recommendations: Suggest relevant languages based on your region
- Display on Profile: Show your country flag on your profile (if you choose)
We do NOT collect GPS location, precise coordinates, or track your physical movements.
Third-Party Services
Language Cafe uses the following third-party services to operate:
- Firebase (Google): Authentication, database storage, push notifications
- Agora: Real-time voice communication for voice rooms
- Google Sign-In / Apple Sign-In: Optional authentication methods
These services have been selected for their security and reliability. For more details, see our Privacy Policy.
Reporting Violations
If you encounter a violation of these guidelines, please report it:
- In-App: Use the Report feature on profiles, posts, or in voice rooms
- Email: support@languagescafe.com
- Urgent Safety Issues: support@languagescafe.com
Emergency Resources
If you are in immediate danger or witness illegal activity, please contact local emergency services. Language Cafe is not equipped to handle emergencies.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis:
- USA: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- UK: Samaritans: 116 123
- International: Find a Helpline
Appeals
If you believe your account was suspended or terminated in error, you may appeal by contacting us at support@languagescafe.com. Please include:
- Your username or email address
- Details about the enforcement action
- Why you believe the action was incorrect
Updates to Guidelines
We may update these Community Guidelines as our platform evolves. Significant changes will be communicated through the App. Continued use of Language Cafe constitutes acceptance of the current guidelines.
Questions?
If you have questions about our Community Guidelines or safety practices, please contact us:
- Email: support@languagescafe.com
- Support: Visit our Support page