We’re pleased to announce that tootoot’s online platform, which provides 24-hour support to young people who are victims of bullying or online abuse, will be rolled out to hundreds of schools thanks to the support of a £4.4million government fund.

Cyberbullying gives bullies the cover of anonymity but tootoot’s app counteracts this by allowing children to report bullying incidents anonymously themselves. They can screenshot abusive messages or even take photographs of bullies in action, then send them via the app. The reports will then be read by staff at the child’s school, but no one else.

As a result of the support received from the Department for Education, 120,000 students across 300 schools will be able to use tootoot to report incidents such as bullying, cyber bullying, or homophobic, transphobic and biphobic abuse. The scheme, run by Internet Matters, will also train 4,500 teachers and educate 60,000 parents about how to protect their children from cyberbullying.

An online hub will provide thousands of children, parents and carers with support around the clock, including in school holidays, with advice on tackling bullying and tips on how to block and report abuse on a range of online platforms.

Tootoot’s Managing Director, Michael said “After being bullied as a child I wanted to find ways to help pupils feel comfortable talking about their concerns, we have worked hard alongside teachers and leading governing bodies to ensure tootoot provides a safe and anonymous way for pupils to report concerns. The support we have received from the Department for Education will see the platform make a positive change for thousands more pupils.”

Education Secretary Justine Greening said “School should be a safe place where children can go to grow and learn. No child should ever be bullied and apps like this mean support for any child is only a click away.”

The £4.4million fund includes £1.6 million over two years from the Department for Education and £2.8million from the Government Equalities Office for projects tackling homophobic, transphobic and biphobic bullying.

Further information about the award can be found here.

For press enquiries please contact

Michael Brennan | Managing Director | tootoot ltd

michael@tootoot.co.uk

01613 540 947