BOSTON – An app with growing popularity among middle and high school students is causing concern among parents because of the opportunity for anonymous cyber bullying.
The app is called Sarahah, which loosely translated from Arabic means “honest” and “frankness.” The developers claim it promotes open feedback from friends and coworkers, but experts say when not used responsibility it can have devastating consequences.
“When you're putting tech in the hands of children who aren't ready for it emotionally, it's like putting them in a car when they don't have a license,” security analyst Robert Siciliano from Hotspot Shield said.
Browse the website Change.org and you will find a number of petitions asking for Sarahah to be shut down. Some of the petitions launched by parents who say the app contributed to their child's suicide.
>>RELATED: Bullied boy's confessional video resonating with people around the world
Sarahah burst onto the tech scene last year with tremendous popularity worldwide largely because it allows you to send messages to other users without ever giving your name.
“The problem with anonymity on the web is anyone can say anything to anyone and there's no repercussion,” Siciliano said.
Some of the hateful message sent to one local middle school student on the app say “slit your wrists please” and “bro like honestly you should kys [kill yourself] dawg like nobody would care”.
They're a prime example of what experts say is a sinister side of the website that allows cyberbullying to thrive without consequence.
“When a human reads something that is so mean about them, it does hurt,” Jon Siani, a media and communications scholar at Mount Ida College said.
The fear for some is that words like these will contribute to an already disturbing trend.
"We're seeing, for the first time in 25 years, suicide rates increasing for middle school kids because of this," Siani said.
Experts recommend parents know what's on their kids' phone or computer and don't dismiss any concerns they might have about being bullied.
The developer of Sarahah has told tech publications that they're working to block offensive words or allow people to block certain users.
Big local school districts like Worcester and Boston say this site isn't quite on their radars yet but that it's probably only a matter of time.
TOP STORIES:
[ Puggle found underneath rubble after SUV crashes into home ]
[ Drunken driver accused carrying loaded gun while fleeing crash ]
[ Andover hockey coaches on leave during 'coaching method' investigation ]