‘Facebook for kids’ app launched in British schools with kids as young as SEVEN able to sign up – but teachers will be able to monitor activity
The new social media platform is aimed at making the internet safer for children
A NEW "Facebook style" app aimed at making social media safer for children has launched - for kids as young as SEVEN.
Although the age limit on using sites like Facebook is 13 a recent study found four out of five primary school kids admitted to using social media daily.
The new site, named Go Bubble, has been created by a former police chief, reports .
Created from the pupil-led online safety education programme eCadets, lets children chat online with school friends, share jokes, pictures or videos.
However the key difference with Go Bubble compared to other sites like Facebook is that SCHOOLS sign up pupils, with parental approval, rather than the kids themselves.
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They can then chat to classmates, others at the school or even children their own age across the world.
Go Bubble puts an end to unwanted friend requests, dubious content and the potential for cyber-bullying - allowing children to take advantage of the best bits of social media without any of the negative aspects.
All posts are automatically moderated through the system’s safety features, ensuring any inappropriate video, images, text, audio or emojis, are removed before going live.
Former police sergeant and e-safety guru Henry Platten, who developed the safe platform, told MEN: "We need to accept that our kids love social media and will use it no matter what the age limit is, so my view is, don’t ban them, just provide them with a safe alternative that has all of the up sides but none of the down sides. Go Bubble is that safe alternative."
There’s also an award-winning live moderation team who review any flagged messages. And it has been awarded a PEGI 3 rating – the safest age rating available from the governing body (Pan European Gaming Information).
Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said the force “looks forward to using it to support our education work with under 13s."
How is Go Bubble different to Facebook?
First of all - the age kids can start using it is seven, as opposed to sites like Facebook which insist a person must be 13 before they're allowed to sign up.
Rather than a child joining up themselves, their school signs its pupils up, with parental approval, and children can safely talk to children in their own class, school, or even with children the same age in schools around the world.
Unlike other social media sites, unwanted friend requests and dubious content are blocked reducing the potential for cyber-bullying.
All posts are automatically moderated through the system’s safety features, ensuring any inappropriate video, images, text, audio or emojis, are removed before going live.
There’s also an award-winning live moderation team who review any flagged messages.
Schools are already using the platform to help children collaborate on school projects, learn about new cultures, develop pen pals, teach children about safe social media use, and send parents messages via the site.
The web and app version of Go Bubble is available free to schools. Outside of school, parents and children can access Go Bubble via the web for free or have the option of downloading the app onto their tablet, laptop or mobile device for £3 a year.
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