Microsoft cooperated with three British schoolgirls to create a tool to tackle bullying and loneliness

Three schoolgirls from the UK have worked with Microsoft to create an app that tackles bullying and loneliness.

Twelve-year-old Kaja and 13-year-olds Eylem and Wiktoria, from Gladesmore Community School in Tottenham, built the program to help a range of people of all ages who are looking for support.

They used Microsoft’s PowerApps platform, which lets people easily create, use, and share custom apps with others, to create the tool at a Microsoft DigiGirlz event in London recently.

Eylem said the girls’ Bloop app – which stands for Be Loving of Other People – “lets people tell us how they feel” and includes “meditation, relaxing games, calming music and contact details for services”.

The trio said they wanted to continue working on the app and see if they could roll it out to the public.

DigiGirlz is a global programme that gives young girls opportunities to learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees and take part in hands-on computer and technology workshops. The programme is growing in the UK with six events across the country every year.

Forty-six girls attended a recent DigiGirlz event at Microsoft’s office in Paddington to learn about careers in the technology sector and speak with women working at Microsoft.

Gladesmore won an award for having the most creative app, while Eastbury Community School, in Barking, won the award for best pitch and Lilian Baylis School, in London, won an award for an app that could have the biggest impact.

“DigiGirlz is a great opportunity for us, it’s so inspiring,” Wiktoria said. Kaja added that the team would share what they learnt with the rest of their school: “We will go back and present our idea in an assembly.”

All three said they would like to study Computer Science at GCSE level.

Barry Redman, who teaches Computer Science at Gladesmore, said: “DigiGirlz gives our pupils a chance to experience a real-life work environment and work with senior women in the technology sector. This kind of event and exposure will create engaged pupils and bring out their passion out.”