31/03/2017
Parents Warned Over App Linked To Cyber Bullying
Parents have been warned to check their children's devices following the discovery of an "abusive" app called SimSimi which has been linked to cyber bullying.
The app appears to be a computer generated chat room where users talk to a very abusive computer, according to the PSNI.
It has been described as an artificial intelligence chatting robot.
SimSimi has been made unavailable in Ireland, however it can still be downloaded in Northern Ireland.
A PSNI Down spokesperson said: "We had only been using the app for two minutes before we got quite the surprise!
"Please be aware of it and its explicit nature! The app is rated as 17+ but I am twice that age and was really shocked at some of the stuff that came back! It also has in-app purchasing and advertised posts!
"We have reported it to the App Store and will include it in our internet safety talks but parents, carers and internet users should keep an eye out for it and avoid."
(CD/LM)
The app appears to be a computer generated chat room where users talk to a very abusive computer, according to the PSNI.
It has been described as an artificial intelligence chatting robot.
SimSimi has been made unavailable in Ireland, however it can still be downloaded in Northern Ireland.
A PSNI Down spokesperson said: "We had only been using the app for two minutes before we got quite the surprise!
"Please be aware of it and its explicit nature! The app is rated as 17+ but I am twice that age and was really shocked at some of the stuff that came back! It also has in-app purchasing and advertised posts!
"We have reported it to the App Store and will include it in our internet safety talks but parents, carers and internet users should keep an eye out for it and avoid."
(CD/LM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A few showers around in the morning but still plenty of dry and bright spells. Drier in the afternoon, although the odd shower still possible, with longer sunny spells developing. Mostly light winds but breezy near coasts. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:It will be a dry evening with some late sunny spells before turning cloudier from the west. Becoming cloudy for all overnight with outbreaks of rain spreading eastwards. Minimum temperature 2 °C.