Irish firm creates anti-bullying software for mobiles

AN Irish company has developed anti-bullying software for mobile phones that can be downloaded online and installed in seconds.

It is the first network independent application to become available and has been approved by Trinity College Dublin’s Anti-Bullying Centre.

The application called Bully Stop is configured by parents to stop their child receiving abusive texts, picture messages and calls from identified and unidentified sources.

It also has a password protected call log that allows parents to review the content of all text messages.

It works on most Nokia and Samsung phones. Programme versions for Sony Ericsson, Motorola, LG, iPhone, Windows Mobile and Android are expected to be available in January.

The software has been developed by Virtual Mobile Application Development (VMAD), a firm owned and run by Dublin brothers, Tony and Jim Cullen.

VMAD chief executive Tony Cullen said the programme contained an “OK” list and a “block” list. It can also be used to block hidden, private or withheld numbers. Mr Cullen said the call log stores information about calls, text and picture messages. The content of texts is stored as well as the time of calls, direction, source or target.

He explained that the log would only say that a withheld number was used to contact a child. It would not reveal the number — that would only be known to the network used.

He said parents who did not want to block numbers could use the application to monitor who was calling their child and who their child was contacting.

“We’re proud to have developed a piece of software that will improve the lives of young people and their parents. We know from media reports and child protection agencies that the problem has been getting worse,” he said.

The programme that costs from €20 has been developed so that it can be updated and upgraded via the website.

VMAD is a start-up company based in Dublin that is concentrating on mobile phone applications and Bully Stop is their first product, with plans to release more over the next three months.

Bully Stop will also be released in Spanish, Polish, Chinese, French and German.