TutorCat Guide Open TutorCat

Students

If you're worried or upset

It's OK to ask for help. How TutorCat responds, where to find helplines, and what stays private.

On this page
  1. What TutorCat does
  2. Where you can ask for help
  3. Who finds out?
  4. Not an emergency service
  5. You are not alone
  6. For younger students (grades 3-5)

Sometimes homework isn't the hardest thing going on. You might feel sad, scared, lonely or stuck. Someone might be unkind to you, or hurting you.

It's OK to not be OK. It's OK to ask for help. You can tell TutorCat at any time, even in the middle of homework.

What TutorCat does

If you write something that shows you might not be safe or might need support, TutorCat stops the homework talk for a moment. Then it:

  1. Says something kind. For example: "It isn't okay, and it isn't your fault."
  2. Suggests a trusted adult you could talk to, like a teacher, a school counsellor or a relative.
  3. Shows free helplines for your country. Many have a Call button you can tap.
  4. Stays with you. It says it's there if you want to keep talking. You can go back to homework whenever you're ready.
A kind reply with free helplines and Call buttons
  1. A kind reply
  2. Free helplines
  3. Keep talking if you like

Where you can ask for help

  • In any chat. Just write what's going on, in your own words.
  • In a wellbeing check-in note. See "Wellbeing check-ins".
  • When your time is up. Tap Need to talk to someone?
  • When something is locked. Look for the "Need help now?" line.

TutorCat never hides helplines behind a time limit or a plan. They are always there for you.

Who finds out?

We want you to know exactly what happens, so there are no surprises.

When you tell us someone is hurting you, that stays private, to keep you safe. This is true if it's someone at home or anyone else. Your parents don't get an alert about it. They never see that message, or anything about it, anywhere in TutorCat: not in your chats, summaries, emails, wellbeing notes or data downloads. TutorCat shows you helplines and encourages you to talk to a trusted adult you feel safe with.

For other serious worries, like wanting to hurt yourself or being in danger, a parent may be told, so they can help you. TutorCat sends your parent a short alert. The alert doesn't include what you wrote. Your parent can still see that chat, like your other chats. Telling a parent isn't a punishment. It's so a grown-up who cares about you can be there for you.

In every case, you see the helplines straight away. Nothing has to happen first.

Not an emergency service

You are not alone

Talking to someone can help, even if it feels hard. A teacher, a school counsellor, a relative, a friend's parent, or a helpline are all good places to start. You deserve to feel safe.

For younger students (grades 3-5)

TutorCat uses shorter, simpler sentences in its reply. It still shows the helplines, and it still says: tell a grown-up you trust. If you don't know what to write, that's OK. Use your own words, as short as you like. Or go and find a grown-up you trust and tell them.