Speak Up!
Creators: Valentina, Mikayla, Rayhana & Fatimah
School: High School Students from Bronx Lab School
Location: Bronx, NY
Project Themes: Rights, Protections, & Advocacy
About this Project
Speak Up! is a Progressive Web App (PWA) designed to support victims of cyberbullying by providing a safe and confidential platform to report incidents, access emotional support, and connect with professional and emergency resources. The app addresses the growing issue of online harassment by combining incident reporting, AI-powered emotional support, evidence collection, and direct access to counseling and legal assistance in one easy-to-use mobile-friendly platform. If fully developed, Speak Up! would allow users to securely submit reports, upload evidence, receive professional guidance, and access crisis support anytime through an installable app available on any device.
Project Links
Professional Feedback
Hey Valentina, Mikayla, Rayhana, and Fatimah,
Bullying has been a major issue for years, and in many ways it has only gotten worse with the rise of technology and social media. What I really appreciate about your application is that it shows technology is not just part of the problem, but also part of the solution. One of the biggest struggles victims face is getting help, both for their mental health and for holding their bully accountable. Your app helps remove some of that pressure by keeping users anonymous, allowing them to open up in ways they may not feel comfortable doing in person, especially if they do not have a strong support system or trusted adults around them.
I did not get much insight into the planning and research side of your process, but from what I’ve seen, the app feels thoughtful and well informed. To strengthen the experience even more, it could be valuable to interview potential users about their experiences with bullying and their thoughts on the app itself. This would help ensure the platform reflects the real needs and struggles of users rather than assumptions.
The support your app provides is very well thought out. Including crisis numbers, real-person communication, and AI-generated advice creates different levels of support for different user needs. Adding a page with self-help, self-care, and mental health resources could make the app even more empowering for users.
The reporting feature also has a lot of potential. Requiring detailed reports and evidence is important for preventing false claims. In the future, it could also be helpful to include a school feature that allows students to anonymously report bullying directly to faculty or counselors to encourage more change in bullying behavior.
As someone with a cybersecurity background, I especially appreciate the focus on safety and privacy. Adding an optional passcode when opening the app could provide users with an extra layer of protection. I would also recommend considering the demographics most affected by bullying, including racial minorities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities. Providing specific resources and visible support for these communities could help users feel safer and more understood.
Overall, I could really see your app making a meaningful impact in the future. It gives a voice to people who may otherwise feel too nervous or unsupported to speak up. Keep up the great work! I’m excited to see what else you create in the future.
Bullying has been a major issue for years, and in many ways it has only gotten worse with the rise of technology and social media. What I really appreciate about your application is that it shows technology is not just part of the problem, but also part of the solution. One of the biggest struggles victims face is getting help, both for their mental health and for holding their bully accountable. Your app helps remove some of that pressure by keeping users anonymous, allowing them to open up in ways they may not feel comfortable doing in person, especially if they do not have a strong support system or trusted adults around them.
I did not get much insight into the planning and research side of your process, but from what I’ve seen, the app feels thoughtful and well informed. To strengthen the experience even more, it could be valuable to interview potential users about their experiences with bullying and their thoughts on the app itself. This would help ensure the platform reflects the real needs and struggles of users rather than assumptions.
The support your app provides is very well thought out. Including crisis numbers, real-person communication, and AI-generated advice creates different levels of support for different user needs. Adding a page with self-help, self-care, and mental health resources could make the app even more empowering for users.
The reporting feature also has a lot of potential. Requiring detailed reports and evidence is important for preventing false claims. In the future, it could also be helpful to include a school feature that allows students to anonymously report bullying directly to faculty or counselors to encourage more change in bullying behavior.
As someone with a cybersecurity background, I especially appreciate the focus on safety and privacy. Adding an optional passcode when opening the app could provide users with an extra layer of protection. I would also recommend considering the demographics most affected by bullying, including racial minorities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people with disabilities. Providing specific resources and visible support for these communities could help users feel safer and more understood.
Overall, I could really see your app making a meaningful impact in the future. It gives a voice to people who may otherwise feel too nervous or unsupported to speak up. Keep up the great work! I’m excited to see what else you create in the future.
