Chris Wright’s anti-bullying app called SafeTips is expected to arrive in Dallas and Grand Prairie schools by the end of the year, according to the Dallas Observer.
SafeTips, which was developed by Wright’s Grand Prairie-based Cyson Technology Group, is designed to let students and parents report suspicious bullying activity to the school’s administrators. Users can send anonymous videos, pictures, and behavior descriptions through the app.
Carter Junior High School in Arlington has been piloting the app for three years and school administration has noticed a change. As the app’s reports declined, more and more students are communicating personally with school staff.
“It’s not just bullying; it’s related to campus security.”
Chris Wright
“Even if I have no one use the program all year, I’ll continue renewing it,” Carter Principal Reny Lizardo told the Dallas Observer. “It shows the parents and community that this is something I’m serious about.”
Beyond bullying, Wright also sees the potential for users to report students who may be suicidal or depressed through the app.
“God forbid, it could be cutting, gun threats, anything,” Wright told the Observer. “It’s not just bullying; it’s related to campus security.”
Through the app, users can keep track of their reports to see if school administration has taken any action. For administrators, the app gives access to a categorized database of the reports.
“Cyberbullying is going up,” Lizardo said. “I see a trend, but it’s also easier for me to capture and have proof of it.”
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