ReThink - Stop Cyberbullying

Downloaded because I was interested to see how the app worked, and if it was truly able to stop hateful messages. Practiced several times and there’s a few notable things: 1. Keyboard itself is quite glitchy and slow making it hard to type with, and undesirable to use as primary keyboard 2. Not all harmful or hateful phrases were flagged with major exceptions being stupid and idiot while bullying certainly can use more vulgarities would still be good to have these messages flagged. 3. App itself is touched poorly from website and promos it’s unclear what the app actually is, and they overstate it’s use as though it can stop harmful messages from being sent at all, when it instead just provides a warning prior to sending a message. 4. Not sure what scenarios this app is actually useful in since the interface is so poor that it’s hard to imagine schools will want to use to it, or that parents will have success in forcing their kids to use it since again hateful messages aren’t stopped they just receive warnings. I admire what the intention of the app is meant to do but ultimately it’s not making any real difference in cyber bullying.

After seeing this app on Shark Tank I figured I'd check it out for myself. After testing dozens of obscenities and racial slurs I discovered that most of them were caught by the app, but some weren't. Most surprisingly, any phrases with the word "fat"; "You're fat", "You're so fat", "You're fat and dumb", and even "You're a fatass" and "Hey fatty" were not caught. Seeing as how obesity is a big target for bullying (pardon the pun), I was surprised to discover this. Maybe that should be given a second look and fixed. Other than that, the intent of the app is admirable and I respect the young entrepreneur behind it. Good on her.

I’ll agree: it’s not perfect. But keeping in mind that it is trying to detect anything rude as you type, I would say it’s pretty darn good. It is very slow, a tad laggy, but overall the idea and the app is great!! I hate cyberbullying and just wish it would end. People have so much more confidence when they can’t see reactions to their words. I wish everybody had this. Let’s also keep in mind: a sixteen year old girl made this. But this app is freakin amazing! I had to delete and reinstall it for it to work but still was great!