CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Three million. That's the number of times an "ugly meter" app has been downloaded to smart phones so far.
It's alarming children advocates who are trying to fight cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying has disastrous consequences. Kids end up depressed, with low esteem, and some have even taken their own lives in despair.
The "Ugly Meter" app has become a popular one in the Apple store. The latest version of the app even has a "Bully Mode" to help you come up with mean things to say and make it even easier to post photos with mean comments on the web.
WBTVs cyber expert Theresa Payton has a warning:
HOW IT WORKS:
1. download the app
2. run photos through it
3. the software uses facial details in the photo and the program rates the face on an ugly meter on a scale of 0 to 10
4. the software then adds a nasty taunt to the photo which you can post together on the web
Theresa highly recommends you check all your home computers and smart phones to make sure your family is not using this app.
RESOURCES:
Web site of the creator of the Ugly App Meter: http://www.dappergentlemen.com/uglymeter/index.html
Parent and Teacher resources to help combat cyberbullying:
Stop Cyberbullying: http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/
Fortalice LLC tracks cyberbullying and other internet issues: www.FortaliceSolutions.com
Cyberbullying Research Center: http://www.cyberbullying.us/
Girl related cyberbullying: http://www.awaythrough.com/
WORD OF THE WEEK:
BITCOIN: It's a play on words. It's coins in the digital word. The "bit" is it is digital currency. The coin can represent money or something of value like points or badges in a game. It enables fast payments between people in any location. Similar idea to PayPal except there is no central organization managing the payments. It provides sender and receiver some anonymity. It's popular with gamers. Use with caution.
