Student invented an app and web tool against cyber-bullying
Gitanjali Rao, a 15-year-old Indian-American inventor and scientist becomes the US based publication, Time Magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year for her innovation and “innovation workshops,” which she conducts across the globe on Thursday. She recently invented an app and web tool called ‘Kindly,’ which uses artificial intelligence to detect the early signs of cyber-bullying.
“You type in a word or phrase, and it’s able to pick it up if it’s bullying, and gives you the option to edit it or send it the way it is. The goal is not to punish,” Rao explained the working of the app. “As a teenager, I know teenagers tend to lash out sometimes. Instead, it gives you the chance to rethink what you’re saying so that you know what to do next time around.”
Rao was selected among 5,000 nominees by the influential magazine. The Colorado was interviewed by Hollywood actor and special envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Angelina Jolie. In her Zoom interview with Jolie, she spoke about her innovations process saying “Observe, brainstorm, research, build and communicate.” And also shared a message for other young people: “If I can do it, anybody can do it.”
She is recognised by the magazine for her “ashtonishing work using technology to tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to opioid addiction and cyberbullying.” This is not the first time Rao has been known for her work. In 2017, she invented a device based on carbon nanotubes to measure the content of the lead in water, and called the same device as ‘Tethys’, which was equipped to send contamination information using Bluetooth. She was named ‘America’s Top Young Scientist’ for her invention after she joined hands with the scientists in water industry to release her device in the market. In 2019, she was also featured on the Forbes’ prestigious ‘30 under 30’ list for her invention.
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