With longer time spent on the Internet due to coronavirus lockdown, younger people are more prone to troll encounters in social media. Good thing there is an app that would protect them from cyberbullying.
As first spotted by TuniseSoir News, Bullstop is the only anti-cyberbullying app that protects users from trolling and cyberbullying. Aston University Computer scientists, led by doctoral researcher Semiu Salawu, launched the app that uses novel artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to stop these online harassments.
Initially designed for teenagers aged 13 upwards, the app is directly integrated to social media platforms and automatically deletes harsh messages received and blocks internet trolls.
According to its description in Google Play, BullStop aims to "help young people combat cyberbullying proactively." It regularly checks messages in received in social media accounts using an "innovative deep learning-based algorithm" that flags any offensive content like an insult, abuse, threat, porn, spam, and ultimately cyber bullying. Currently, the app can be integrated into Twitter while Facebook and Instagram will soon follow.
Semiu commended Twitter for supporting research efforts and allowing apps like BullStop to be securely integrated into the platform. "This has been key in completing the research," said Semiu adding that they are hoping other social media platforms will soon follow.
What Is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is harassment that happens over digital platforms, including cell phones, computers, and tablets. This includes bullying through texts, apps, social media, online forums, or gaming sites.
According to a Comparitech.com report on cyberbullying from 2018 to 2020, 60% of parents reported their children aged between 14 and 18 have experienced bullying. While the vast majority of bullying happened in schools, about one out of five children have experienced being bullied online, particularly in social media. The harassments include:
- Offensive name-calling
- Spreading of fake rumors
- Receiving explicit images they did not solicit
- Constant pestering such as asking for their identity, location, or current activity, or who they are with
- Physical threats
Meanwhile, another study named Instagram as the worst social media platform for cyberbullying. The Ditch the Label, an anti-bullying organization in the U.K., found that among young adults who participated in their study, 42% suffered from cyberbullying on Instagram, 37% on Facebook, 31% on Snapchat while only 9% were harassed on Twitter.
Moreover, most of the respondents believe social media networks are not doing enough to prevent cyberbullying and protect their users from harassments.
How BullStop Works?
Bullstop is simple to use. Just download and install this free app on the device. It is available for Android devices through Google Play. Then, link the social media accounts to the app. Currently, it only supports Twitter, but developers word hard to getting Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms involved.
Customize BullStop depending on the user's requirements. With the user's consent, it can automatically delete harsh messages and block trolls or other abusive contacts.
Use social media normally. BullStop works on the background and the more frequent it is used, the more advanced the AI would know how to protect its users.
Meanwhile, BullStop can shield the youth from cyberbullying and social media trolls, it is not a parental monitoring app. Thus, messages are not being sent to parents and guardians. Its goal is to make social media safe for connecting with friends and family.
While on its beta testing stage, researchers invite users to provide feedback, so developers can make improvements on the app. Some young people and professionals including teachers, police officers, and psychologists were among the respondents.
According to a spokesperson from West Midlands Police cybercrime unit, his initial impression about Bullstop was great. He also said that a user or guardian can easily understand how the app works by going through the app tour.
He also noted that one of its best features is that having a parent or companion app is not required. He added that he would recommend the app to those experiencing cyberbullying.
