Barking app tackling cyber-bullying wins digital prize
Seun Oshinaike, Tosin Lepe, and Roshelle Mitchell, 17 who created the app Silent Secret - Credit: Archant
A social media app created in Barking but used all around the world has won a prestigious business prize.
Aimed at tackling cyber-bullying among young people, Silent Secret, based in Pickering Road, picked up a TalkTalk Digital Heroes award for internet safety on Tuesday, plus £5,000 in cash.
The anonymous platform allows those aged between 11 and 19 to share their secrets, thoughts, feelings, news and lifestyle.
Launched in November last year, the app already boasts 1.7million engaged members stretching across the UK, America, Australia and Indonesia.
“It’s really exciting for us,” said chief operating officer Eoin Heffernan, 42.
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“We’ve got a great network of users and a lot of people helped us out with this, so we’re really humbled.
“We’re now going to spend all the prize money on developing further functions for the app which we will start working on soon.”
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The program allows people to post comments anonymously, which other users can either agree with, send a hug or show their love for by clicking a heart.
It also contains links to support services for those in need.
The team, alongside nine other digital winners will now be honoured at the House of Commons in November, where an overall winner will be announced and granted £10,000 prize money.
Visit silentsecret.uk for more information
