In September the BBC created a "wellbeing" Smartphone App called Own It, aimed at children.
It monitors how young people interact with friends and family online and through messaging apps, by using AI to evaluate a child's mood so it can offer advice or encourage them to talk to trusted adults. The app is designed to offer help and support especially if children are about to share sensitive data or send an upsetting message. Based on what children type, certain keywords are detected and offer the user a chance to rethink before sending a nasty or abusive text, by asking them questions.
Equally, if the user types something like "I'm sad", this will also prompt a question, with a one-touch link from the app to the Own It website which has helpful tips and next steps to follow if the child is feeling a certain way.
While no 'silver bullet' for online bullying or well-being, the app is a great start and definitely a positive development in encouraging empathy within children in regards to their online behaviour, and encouraging them to think about both how they and others are feeling before posting content online.
The app is free and can be added easily as an additional keyboard to either Apple or Android devices, so...own it!
This is an extract from the CyberSafe Ireland Christmas Newsletter - Download the full issue.