A New App to Prevent and Dismantle Cyberbullying

I often think about the world my little ones are growing up in. With technology at the forefront of our lives, it’s hard to ignore the benefits—and the challenges—our children will face online. One of the most pressing concerns for parents today is cyberbullying. Enter ActionPoint, a new app designed to combat cyberbullying by strengthening the most important relationship in a child’s life—the one they share with their parents.

ActionPoint isn’t just another parental control app that monitors screen time or filters content.

Instead, it’s built with a fresh approach: fostering open communication between parents and teens while providing tools to tackle the growing issue of cyberbullying head-on. This app is designed with the belief that strong relationships between parents and teens are the most effective safeguard against online threats.

At its core, ActionPoint is all about building trust. The app offers parents and teens a shared platform where they can communicate openly about digital safety. Instead of just telling parents what their teens are doing online, it prompts both parties to engage in regular, meaningful conversations.

Here’s how it works:

1. Customized Discussion Prompts: Based on the child’s age and online habits, the app offers tailored discussion topics that help parents broach sensitive subjects, like what to do if they experience or witness cyberbullying.
2. Real-Time Alerts: If any alarming behavior or content is detected—such as potential cyberbullying—the app notifies both the parent and the teen. But rather than being punitive, the app encourages parents to have a supportive, problem-solving conversation.
3. Education Modules: ActionPoint offers both parents and teens bite-sized learning modules about internet safety, online empathy, and how to build positive digital habits. This ensures that everyone is on the same page and equipped with the knowledge they need.
4. Family Check-Ins: Weekly family “check-ins” create opportunities for reflection. Both parents and teens can rate their online experiences, share any concerns, and set goals for healthy digital engagement.

Cyberbullying is a modern epidemic. Studies show that nearly 37% of teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying, and the mental health effects can be devastating—ranging from anxiety and depression to, tragically, suicide. Meanwhile, parents often feel helpless and unsure of how to intervene or identify when their child is struggling.

By focusing on relationship-building, ActionPoint doesn’t just help parents step in when something goes wrong. It helps prevent cyberbullying from taking root in the first place.

When teens feel supported and empowered by their parents, they are more likely to open up about their experiences—good or bad. And when parents feel connected to their teens, they’re better positioned to guide them through tricky online interactions.

The ultimate goal of ActionPoint is not just to end cyberbullying, but to cultivate healthier, more resilient relationships between parents and teens. Research shows that when teens feel supported by their parents, they are less likely to engage in risky online behaviors and more likely to speak up when something doesn’t feel right. This, in turn, strengthens their emotional resilience and boosts their self-esteem.

For parents, the app offers peace of mind. Instead of constantly policing their teen’s online world, they can focus on being present, supportive, and engaged. The app provides the tools, but it’s the conversations and the trust built over time that truly make the difference.

As a mom, I’m still navigating the basics of raising little ones. But I know the day is coming when I’ll need to prepare them for the digital world. What excites me about ActionPoint is its focus on proactive, relational solutions rather than reactive controls. It reminds us that no matter how advanced technology becomes, the most powerful tool we have as parents is the connection we cultivate with our kids.

If we can strengthen these relationships now, we’ll be giving our children the best defense they can have—both online and offline. And that, to me, is the most important lesson of all.

Note to reader: ActionPoint is currently available to download on Apple mobile devices through the App Store.