Barking app tackling cyber-bullying wins prestigious business award
Silent Secret CEO Seun Oshinaike at the TalkTalk Digital Awards Ceremony 2015 - Credit: Archant
A worldwide social media app designed to tackle cyber-bullying among young people has won a top business prize.
Created by social enterprise Brighter Steppings, in Pickering Road, Barking, Silent Secret is an anonymous platform for those aged 11 and 19 to share their secrets, thoughts, feelings and news.
Launched in November last year, the app already boasts 1.7million engaged members stretching across the UK, America, Australia and Indonesia, and topped the public vote in the Internet Safety category to receive a £5,000 grant at the TalkTalk Digital Heroes Awards earlier this month.
“Winning means that we can now add an additional support layer for Silent Secret to provide an even safer online space,” said CEO Seun Oshinaike.
“Young people have their mobile phones with them 24/7, and with the support of TalkTalk we can now give young people online peer mentors during high risk hours – when they are feeling sad or feeling lonely they can check in and TalkTalk Things Out.”
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The Silent Secret group aim to help lower stress and anxiety levels among users and increase emotional wellbeing, while connecting them to local and national support organisations in times of need.
The 10 Talk Talk Digital Heroes were decided by a public vote with the overall winner chosen by an expert judging panel including TalkTalk chairman Sir Charles Dunstone.
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The app has also been developing a portal to allow local authorities, NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups and charities access to the anonymous data ensuring services for young people are commissioned and delivered in response to identified needs.
Dr Peter Ilves, primary care and commissioning consultant for Big White Wall – an anonymous digital mental health service provided for the NHS – said: “I immediately recognised the potency of Silent Secret.
“The power and positive outcomes of sharing with others how you feel and what worries you is well evidenced.”
Visit silentsecret.com for more.
