Social media is a great invention and for many people it can be a lifeline, communications with friends, a creative outlet and much more.

But there is of course a darker side to it – bullying, fake news, false images, scams and for many a place to vent their opinions and sometimes prejudices to the cost of others.

The BBC has created an APP called Own It, aimed at children and is advertising it regularly on its channels.

The APP monitors how a young people interacts with friends and family online and through messaging apps.

It evaluates a child’s mood so it can offer advice or encourage them to talk to trusted adults.

The app is designed to offer help and support especially if children are about to share sensitive data or send an upsetting message.

Alice Webb of the BBC said the app would act as a “helping hand” to guide children into developing good habits when using their first phone and avoid some of the potential pitfalls of digital life.

The Own It app also has its own content that aims to help children manage the amount of time they spend looking at their screen and passes on other advice about responsible online interaction.

The BBC said the app would also regularly encourage children to talk to parents and guardians about good and bad online experiences and their phone use.

Prof Sonia Livingstone, a social psychologist said “Based on my research on children’s online risks and opportunities, I think it should be very helpful for children, especially younger ones, and ideally would also stimulate constructive conversations between children and parents.”

She said one of the “strengths” of the app was the effort it took to protect a child’s privacy. This stood in contrast to other apps that many parents use to monitor and control their children’s online lives.

The Own It app began development in 2018 and has drawn on input and support from many different child-focused charities and welfare groups, including – the Mental Health Foundation, the Anti-Bullying Alliance, the NSPCC, the Diana Award and Childnet.

The app is being launched against a background of research which shows how concerned some parents are about phone use among their offspring.

Well done the BBC. Let’s hope the APP helps a lot of young people.

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