Inside the World Anti-Bullying Forum - North Carolina.
World Anti-Bullying Forum, 2023, Raleigh, North Carolina.
At the end of 2023 and whilst studying full time, I had the privilege of attending the World Anti-Bullying Forum in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. I hopped on a plane with the team from Dublin City University’s Anti-Bullying Research Centre and off we went for a four-day conference that blew my expectations out of the water.
People came from all corners of the globe, educators, psychologists and sociologists, to name a few, but everyone was united by one shared mission, to tackle the huge problem of bullying. And let’s be real, in today’s world of technology, where anyone can hide behind a screen with usernames like “Xx_DarkDestroyer99_xX,” It’s no small task!
As I alternated from one session to another, fueled by caffeine, snacks and the sheer will to absorb every ounce of wisdom, I couldn’t help but feel inspired. Seeing so many passionate people fighting and working for this incredible cause was truly amazing, and the energy for the upcoming days was nothing short of contagious!
I have been working as a UX/UI Designer with Dublin City University for the past 2.5 years on an app called Tozi and this was a big moment for the app to shine. Tozi is an app developed by DCU’s Anti-Bullying Centre in partnership with the Vodafone Foundation Ireland and Childline by ISPCC to help young people navigate their online world safely and confidently. You could think of it as a digital superhero cape for young people.
I was there to represent Tozi alongside the wonderful team at the Anti-Bullying Centre and bask in its online safety glory. Helping young people be safe online is a mission that truly matters to me. It’s about giving them the tools to thrive in a digital world that can feel overwhelming, isolating and confusing. It is vital to protect their confidence, safety and wellbeing in a space where they should feel empowered.
Tozi is an app designed to support young people in their digital lives and it offers 3 main features:
The Cosmos: A rich library of articles, podcasts, and videos focused on online safety, privacy, and well-being.
My Space: A private area where users can track their feelings, engage in guided journaling, and access inspirational quotes to understand better and manage their emotions.
Live Chat: Direct access to Childline experts for real-time support and guidance
As the Tozi app continues to grow and expand, with exciting developments now bringing its mission to Portugal and more European destinations, we are thrilled to see how this will positively impact communities around the world.
And speaking of exciting things, the next World Anti-Bullying Forum is coming up in Norway - June 2025! Once again, we’ll be packing our passports, caffeine supplies, and some seriously cool findings to present alongside the Anti-Bullying Centre research team.
It’s shaping up to be another amazing opportunity to gather together and share our progress since the last WABF. So watch this space and stay tuned!
Teresa Di Manno
