Intro

CyberBully Alert is a downloadable software tool designed to document cyberbullying or any online harassment and send alerts to notify pre-approved guardians of the incident by email or text message. CyberBully Alert sits on the computer’s Menu or Task bar as an icon, where your child can easily click on it to send an instant alert and take a screenshot of the active screen containing the offensive content.

Cost Breakdown

Monthly subscription: $14.95, includes activation fee and you pay $6.95 per month thereafter

Annual subscription: $69.40,  includes activation fee and 12 month subscription

• One subscription is good for use on up to three computers
• First 6 months are free upon activation

Specifications

• Compatible with Macintosh OS X 10.4 and above, Microsoft Windows XP and Vista
• Active internet connection required to download and for use
• One active email account to associate with the CyberBully Alert account for payment and authentication purposes

The Good

This software is super easy to download and set up, taking just a few minutes to install the system.  Set-up consists of a few standard configuration pop-up windows and a three-step set up wizard.  The set-up instructions are clearly laid out in their User Guide, which is also available on their website.

Children will find it easy to use, not surpassing anything more than a simple click and typing up a short description. A left-click or double-click on the CyberBully Alert icon will take a snapshot of the user’s screen (used as evidence for legal actions) which is later stored in a folder, followed by a box that will prompt the child to send the alert.

Adults will also find the software simple to use.  Configuring the software is a straight-forward process which requires the user to identify who will receive the alerts and how they will receive them (via email or SMS).  Reviewing the threatening messages stored in the CyberBully Alert folder and following up on the alerts are what’s time-consuming for parents and guardians.

What I like about the company is that they advocate a cyberbullying strategy that involves both intervention with proactive prevention.  CyberBully Alert wasn’t created to monitor children’s online activities.  The software’s objective is to foster ongoing communication and support between parent and child, where children participate as responsible parties in their own online safety.

In the User Guide, they encourage parents to involve children in the installation process, as well as the set-up stage so children can choose who they would like to receive alert notifications.  Tips can be found in the User Guide for both parents and children to help them comprehensively address cyberbullying situations, from saving evidence to refraining from retaliation.  My hat goes off to them for being one of the first to accompany technical support with parental support.

The Bad

As much as I like their approach, I’m not convinced that this software is a dire necessity; let alone having to pay for it.  You can get your child in to the habit of reporting cyberbullying instances by having them take screenshots (press the ‘Ctrl’ key and ‘Prt Sc’ at the same time), and paste (click ‘Ctrl’ and ‘P’ at the same time) the image into Word or Paint. From there, all they need to do is save it in a folder and send it via email. Though it takes a little more work, it does the exact same thing at no cost.

Another downside to this software is that when you receive an alert, you’ll notice a disclaimer by CyberBully Alert that states they do not collect evidence of your cyberbullying instances on their system.  This means if something were to happen to your computer, you could lose all the evidence (screenshots) you’ve saved up unless you have it stored elsewhere (e.g., an external hard drive).

They also do not associate or direct users to any reporting and support mechanisms.  Adults will still need to find the appropriate authorities to report their cases to.

Editorial Review

CyberBully Alert can be compared to some cyberbullying software administered school-wide like Cyber Bullying Prevention Engine, which blocks, quarantines or reports offensive emails.

The major differences between the software are that the Cyber Bullying Prevention Engine only screens emails and operates on a dictionary of words cyberbullies tend to use.  If the engine registers one of dictionary words, the email is intercepted so that the intended victim does not receive the email.    Depending on set-up, administrators can also be forwarded a copy of the blocked email.

The positive with this software is that it gives parents and designated adults, the option of addressing children’s offensive encounters on your schedule.  It also helps institute online safety as a regular part of parenting discussions and routines.

This software does, however, require you to set a good example and to not overact if you get an alert for something you didn’t expect or want to see.  When you receive the alert, it’s up to you to react in a way that will either encourage your child or make them uneasy about coming to you with these types of issues. This software does not solve the problem for you; it merely lets you know what’s happening.

So, is CyberBully Alert worth the price? It is if it opens the lines of communication with your child. If you’re the type of parent or teacher that believes in surveying your child’s every online move, this won’t work for you.

____________________________________________________________________________

Other Media/Reference:
Official site: http://www.cyberbullyalert.com

Posted in Technology Showcase | bullying, cyberbullying, reviews | |