Researchers from the Northern Territory have launched an app last week to help Indigenous youth combat bullying and teasing.
‘Digital Trakz’ uses comic-book graphics to tell real-life stories of bullying and provide interactive examples of how app users can respond, leading to a positive or negative outcome for the character.
Menzies School of Health Research Centre for Child Development and Education partnered with Northern Territory Primary Health Network to develop the app in collaboration with Darwin community-based businesses.
The app is aimed at helping reduce the impact bullying may have on an individual and assisting youth recognise early signs of bullying.
Bernard Namok, senior broadcaster from Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting, was approached by the Menzies Centre to help produce the project. He said victims of bullying can relate to the genuine stories told within the app.
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“I think it will make a difference … The app is a visual thing that they can sit down and have a look and relate to the characters,” he told NITV News.
The Menzies School of Health and the NT Primary Health Network found that an estimated one in two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth experience bullying.
Mr Namok said he would like to eventually see stories expanding across waters to the Torres Strait.
“Every Indigenous community can relate to these Top End stories… I would like to see stories come from every nation and every Indigenous person from around this country."
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