Bryanston High School has implemented a new app to help children anonymously report bullying at the school.
On 15 July, the school implemented FaceUp which allows learners to anonymously report any concerns they may have about their schoolmates. Amy Dewes-Goulborn, the school counsellor explained that the app allowed learners to report a schoolmate who might be suffering from depression or suicide ideation but also allows learners to report if they believe someone is in possession of drugs or a weapon.
Dewes-Goulborn said while some learners might use the app to play jokes, they have already had learners reporting genuine concerns that the school could now assist with. She added that there were three people from the school who would monitor the reported posts and would decide who the relevant person was to assist the learner.
The app was introduced to the school by a former learner, Cayley Jorgensen, who is now a registered counsellor. Jorgensen said, “Because this is an anonymous reporting system focused on the victim, it looks at the problem in a positive light. Instead of asking who is hurting others, we ask who can we help. FaceUp also allows learners to report themselves and get help quickly from a trained staff member.”
Jorgensen said South Africa ranked highest for the rates of cyberbullying out of 28 countries. She added that about 160 000 South African high school learners bunked school daily, and one in 10 learners dropped out of school to avoid being bullied. Through the app, they hope to ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive help.
Dewes-Goulborn added,
“Our aim is to encourage the learners to now speak out instead of hide it. They are teenagers so they might not be brave enough to speak out, so this helps them to stay anonymous but still get to the root of the problem.”
Details: www.faceup.com/en-za/
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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/198368/proactive-steps-against-bullying-by-local-sandton-school-learner-2/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/199554/the-ultimate-toolbox-to-prevent-bullying/
