BBC Own It facts for kids
The BBC Own It app is a British software application and hardware package that is designed to protect and support children using the Internet.
BBC Own It consists of a custom keyboard and a companion app.
- The keyboard uses machine learning to assess, intervene and provide inline help when it recognises bullying, hate, toxicity, data privacy and emotions.
- The companion app provides insights and feedback to the user on how they are using their device. Videos, articles and quizzes are presented that allow children to learn about themselves and how to develop an understanding of how actions can directly affect wellbeing.
Features
The Own It Keyboard gives real-time feedback of sentiment to users as they type. This provides a sense of how the intended recipient of the message may feel upon receipt. The keyboard intervenes with help if it identifies a safeguarding issue.
All of the machine learning and business logic is encapsulated within the app. There is no cloud service, ensuring strict data privacy. Autocorrect, autocomplete and next-word prediction features are built to focus on the language of children.
History
In 2016, The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge established The Royal Foundation Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying. The BBC Own It App work began in 2017 in response to a call for action from the Taskforce.
In December 2017, the BBC launched Own It. In November 2018, work on the BBC Own It App was announced by Prince William.In September 2019, the BBC Own It App was launched into the AppStore and Google Play.
Awards
- UXUK award for Best Education or Learning Experience (2019)
- Banff World Media Festival Rockies Award for Children & Youth Interactive Content (2020)
- CogX Award for Best Innovation In Natural Language Processing (2020)
