- Kidas protects against cyberbullying in multiplayer video games, analyzing conversations and notifying parents.
- Founded by Ron Kerbs in 2019, KIDAS’ Protect Me software detects threats in gaming communication.
- Cyberbullying statistics underline urgency; KIDAS’ three-step approach and parent involvement strengthen protection.
In the age of connectivity, the online world is a vast landscape with challenges. Just like during the Medieval Period, kings erected fort walls to keep away the predators. So does Kidas, acting as a fortified wall protecting your kids against cyber harassment.
Cyberbullying can happen on any social media platform like TikTok, Instagram, or Snapchat, but nowadays, it's been widespread in children's multiplayer video games. It examines all communications on kids' gaming consoles and notifies parents of potentially hazardous video game activity.
What is Kidas?
Kidas’ is a private organization established in Philadelphia, United States, in 2019 by Ron Kerbs. With a decade of experience overseeing technology teams funding early-stage firms and working as a volunteer for several NGOs focusing on children, he decided to tackle the issue of game toxicity.
Kidas’ Protect Me is the first software to understand the conversations' context and intensity, and it can understand the voice and text communication in games that can recognize financial scams, predatory grooming, and cyberbullying.
Trash-talking is a part of the gaming experience. Kidas differentiates whether an interaction represents a direct threat or is good-natured trash talk.
In a 2019 survey by the market research company Savanta, 84% of parents worldwide expressed concern for their kids' internet safety. Since then, the popularity of games like Roblox and Fortnite has only increased. Today, 25 million individuals play Fortnite daily, while over 55 million play Roblox.
According to research conducted by the Philadelphia branch of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 2.3 million teenagers, i.e., nearly one in ten gamers, between the ages of 13 and 17 who play multiplayer games like Roblox, Apex Legends, League of Legends, and more have been exposed to themes associated with White supremacy.
"About 60 percent of the kids who play online will be bullied, harassed, or scammed before they turn 18," says Kerbs. "That's an alarming statistic that we cannot ignore."
What are the three steps to build a cyber fortification for your kids?
- Download and Activate it on your kid's Windows laptop.
- Receive Alerts when danger is detected.
- Get detailed Weekly Reports on threat exposure and screen time, along with a to-be-worked plan to keep your child safe.
On August 8th, 2023, Kidas published “How to Communicate with Teens Effectively to Ensure Online Safety.” on the P.U.R.E website. The article discusses how installing the Protect Me software would be difficult for parents.
It further sub-categories, acting as the strong foundation for the fortification, the role of the parents in installing the software to keep a check on that. Some of them have been mentioned below:
- Initiate Honest Conversations.
- Be informed about video games and stay updated on gaming trends.
- Establish clear boundaries and educate your child about online safety.
- Encourage responsible gaming and address cyberbullying, toxic behavior, and online predators.
- Have fun playing together.
In a nutshell, it talks about how the foundation of trust and a friendly relationship with kids could protect them from the predators of cyberbullying. Playing video games would be a good way to have fun with your kids.
Fundings and Statistics
Throughout three rounds, Kidas raised $2.1M in investment. On January 25, 2022, a Corporate Round round raised their most recent funding. Eight investors fund Kidas and the most recent investors are Overwolf and Margery Kraus.
Remember the good old days of playing hide-and-seek every evening? Well, now we have a new version of that classic game - video gaming! It's not only fun but safe - unlike when parents used to worry about us getting hurt.
Nowadays, parents just need to ensure their kids are protected from cyberbullying. And what's even better is that video gaming is a great way to spend quality time with your children without worrying too much, thanks to Kidas Protect Me. So why not join the fun and create unforgettable memories with your little ones?
Edited by Shruti Thapa
