Cyberbullying: «Only the perpetrators are responsible - always»

Ms Rack, who is the Klicksafe cyberbullying first aid app aimed at?

For young people aged 10 to 16 who are affected by acute bullying situations on the internet. The app offers support, for example, if someone has been exposed with embarrassing photos or has been subjected to insults, threats or verbal abuse in chats and social media. We worked closely with the Youth Panel, Klicksafe's youth advisory board, on this project.

The app was developed and programmed by young people aged between 14 and 17. This was important to us so that the offer is as low-threshold as possible for the target group.

How does the app help young people in an emergency?

The main protagonists of the app are Tom and Emilia, two young people who are available as coaches. They take those seeking help by the hand in short video clips and guide them, for example, through the first steps in taking action against cyberbullying.

The coaches give specific behavioural tips and guide them through various tutorials. For example, young people learn how to report or block people on social networks, how to delete insults or document attacks using a screenshot. They also receive legal background information and links to advice centres.

In their video messages, the coaches encourage those affected - and make it very clear that the situation is not your fault. The perpetrators are responsible for bullying - always.

How has the offer been received?

The app is currently available in German, English, French, Luxembourgish, Lithuanian and Slovenian. The respective countries are all partners in the EU Safer Internet Network, of which Klicksafe is also a member. The German version has been downloaded 15,000 times so far. A low-barrier version of the app for people with disabilities will also be released at the end of 2023.

More information and the app can be found here.