What are the common types of cyberbullying?
To help school and home life run as smoothly as possible for children, we're are supporting an eight-week cyberbullying awareness campaign run by Internet Matters.
To help school and home life run smoothly KCOM are supporting cyberbullying awareness.
With this particular article focusing on apps that promote safety, confidence and independence for young people. Read on to discover how these downloadable tools can improve your child’s wellbeing and help them to prevent and cope with bullying.
CyberBully Hotline
Available on: Android and Apple
Price: Free
Sometimes bullying is hard to detect, as victims and bystanders are reluctant to report incidents. This is due to the fear of what the consequences will be if they provoke the bully further. CyberBully Hotline is a useful app that provides schools with their own unique number for students to use. Pupils and parents remain 100% anonymous, as they send a text or voice message to the school administration team when bullying, violence or harassment occurs. Discreet support can then be offered and the matter dealt with directly.
Block’em
Available on: Android
Price: Free
Cyberbullying is very real in the technologically advanced world that we live in. Downloading Block’em will allow victims of digital abuse to block unwanted calls and messages in an easy-to-use and simple-to-manage way. This app is only available on Android smartphones; however, a similar built-in service is provided on Apple mobiles. 70% of the profits made from Block’em go directly to NSPCC, which supports children and young people in the UK with services like Childline.
Stand Up To Bullying
Available on: Apple
Price: $9.99 (£7.71)
Education about bullying and what to do if you feel like a victim is a great way to combat the issue. This interactive video immerses children into the world of Lucky Kat and Daren the Lion, teaching them how to identify various forms of bullying and what to do in unpleasant situations. The five chapters cover verbal, physical and non-verbal abuse and can be used either at home or in the classroom.
tootoot
Available on: Apple and Android
Price: Dependent on number of students – please see website
This safeguarding platform was developed in partnership with Barclays and can be used across all educational institutes, from primary schools to universities. The mobile application allows students to report concerns about bullying, racism, extremism, sexism, ableism and homophobia to their place of learning. Being able to report these issues to a governing body is vital in the fight against discrimination, and that’s why tootoot has made our list.
#BeStrong Anti-Bullying Keyboard by Vodafone
Available on: Apple
Price: Free
In a campaign against cyberbullying, Vodafone has created a series of powerful emojis and stickers to be used across social media. Take a stand against bullying and show you care by offering friendship and support to those who need it. The images were selected by around 5,000 young people, who felt that the symbols reflected compassion and solidarity. Sometimes, just letting someone know that you’re there for them can make all the difference.
Family GPS Locator
Available on: Android
Price: Free
A child’s location is always a parent’s concern, perhaps even more so if they are being bullied either at school or via the Internet. This locator app allows grownups to check the location of their child, as well as find out where they have been. Alerts can also be set up when a child arrives at school or at home, so you’ll always know that they’re safe. In the meantime, the application will notify you and your child when their battery needs charging, so they are never left without the ability to contact someone in an emergency.
Find My Kids – Footprints
Available on: Apple
Price: Free
This app is very similar to Family Locator but is instead available on the iPhone. Find My Kids allows you to track your child’s movement and set up geofences, which notifies parents when crossed. It’s vital to know where your child is, especially if they are experiencing bullying, and these tracker apps really help parents and children enjoy peace of mind.
Zipit
Available on: Android and Apple
Price: Free but charges may apply when texting
Bullying and intimidation can come in many different forms, and for many young people it can turn into sexual abuse or unwanted physical advances. If you’re worried that your child is being hassled for naked images or being sent inappropriate images, get them to download Zipit. Developed by Childline, the app offers advice and appropriate comebacks to the often-normalised sexting culture that we face.
Choose Your Path
Available on: Android
Price: Free
Teach children how to best deal with bullies by downloading this educational game. As different stories unfold online, in the classroom and on the playground, players must make a decision on how to react to the situation. This kind of learning is imperative in the battle against bullies and can explain to children why bullying is wrong.
Sit With Us
Available on: Apple
Price: Free
Impressively built by a 16-year-old girl who was once a victim of severe bullying during school, this social platform allows pupils to set up inclusive lunches with their classmates. Some children face eating lunch on their own every day, so this digital network allows kids to post open lunchtime events – no one needs to eat alone! Points can be won by posting lunches, accepting another’s request and adding a friend. Meanwhile, young people can become Sit With Us ambassadors, which serves as a confidence boost too.
If you know a parent, child or teacher who could benefit from this information, please share it with them. Together we can keep children safe and happy at home and school.