The mother of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett hopes new app will help parents of children being cyber-bullied

Amy “Dolly” Everett’s life was tragically cut short at 14 after relentless bullying. On the sixth Do it For Dolly Day, her mother explains how families and victims can prevent further deaths.

Exclusive: Amy “Dolly” Everett should have celebrated her 21st birthday on May 1.

Instead, the family of the young country girl – whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 14 following relentless bullying – turned their attention to May 10, marking the sixth year of Do it For Dolly Day.

Each year since their daughter took her own life, Kate and Tick Everett have openly expressed their grief, aiming to use their experience to support others and promote awareness through the anti-bullying organisation they founded, Dolly’s Dream.

But this year their focus is on getting help directly in the hands of families and victims, particularly of cyber-bullying, through Beacon, a free cyber safety app developed by Telethon Kids Institute.

Kate and Tick Everett have openly expressed their grief. Picture: Supplied

It comes as cyber-bullying reports made to the eSafety Commission increased by 40 per cent last year, with the commission receiving 2383 reports in 2023 compared to 1700 in 2022.

Two-thirds of these reports concerned children aged 12-15 years old, highlighting the vulnerability of young people to online harassment and abuse.

Ms Everett said there was no one solution to the scourge of cyber bullying.

“To see those statistics of cyber bullying on the rise is hugely concerning, we’re all going to have to become better digital citizens,” she said.

“It is such a complex issue. I look back at what we were dealing with and what was available in that technology space back then, [when Dolly was struggling] six years ago, [and realise] we’ve moved so quickly with technology.

Dolly Everett was just 14.

“Like so many people … we didn’t know there was any eSafety Commissioner and that they have the ability to take down bullying posts from many different platforms.

She said having an easily accessible app as part the Dolly’s Dream suite of support services had always been a goal.

“[The app] has been one of our biggest passions along with that support line, when we started Dolly’s Dream, and the opportunity came to partner with the Beacon app, which was designed by Telethon Kids Institute in Perth,” Ms Everett said.

“Now I’m very happy with where we are and the resources that we have now.”

Dolly's Dream partnered with Telethon Kids Institute to get the Beacon App in hands of more families with kids on social media. Picture: Supplied

Based on more than 15 years of cyber safety research and more than 30 years of bullying research by Telethon Kids Institute, the Beacon app has been downloaded more than 27,500 times since its creation in 2020.

Once downloaded, families can access tailored resources, such as articles, videos and alerts, addressing various challenges like excessive screen time, gaming, and cyber-bullying.

These resources are regularly updated to align with evolving societal and online trends in Australia.

Once downloaded, families can access tailored resources. Picture: Supplied

Telethon Kids Institute program head of population health associate Professor Francis Mitrou said that the collective expertise of both Dolly’s Dream and Telethon Kids Institute enabled Beacon to continue to support all families with cyber safety advice to help keep kids and families safe.

“This joint effort has enabled Beacon to evolve into a more comprehensive and reliable resource, equipped to address the diverse challenges faced by families in today’s digital age,” associate Prof Mitrou said.

“With a shared commitment, we will increase our reach into rural, regional, and remote communities across Australia, ensuring access to essential cyber safety resources.”

Do It For Dolly Day on May 10 is a day dedicated to bringing the community together, spreading kindness, raising funds and going blue (Dolly’s favourite colour) to stop bullying and share the message to be kind and speak even if your voice shakes.

The Beacon app is for iOS and Android devices.

Visit doitfordollyday.org.au

IF THIS STORY HAS AFFECTED YOU

Dolly’s Dream Support Line: 0488 881 033

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

Lifeline: 13 1114

TIACS: 0488 846 988

Mental Health Access Line: 1300 642255

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

13YARN: 13 9276

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Originally published as The mother of Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett hopes new app will help parents of children being cyber-bullied