<p>
	Concerns have been raised about an app that school principals are warning is linked to cyberbullying.</p>
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	SimSimi has been downloaded 50 million times on the Google Play store, and has been banned in some schools for using abusive and sexual language.</p>
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	The app can be taught to respond to certain phrases and names which can lead to individuals being targeted. If the app is taught to say something abusive when a user&#39;s name is mentioned, they can pay to have it removed.</p>
<p>
	Concerned parents began downloading the app, with one saying: &quot;I only downloaded it to see if my daughters&#39; names are being slated. I imagine a vast amount of downloads are concerned parents checking on their children.</p>
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	&quot;Obviously (they are) raking in downloads by promoting bullying.&quot; This was followed by several similar comments. However, a lot of users said it is &quot;fun&quot;.</p>
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	Last night the app responded with: &quot;I do not talk in Ireland for a while...&quot; followed by an anti-bullying quote.</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Independent on the 30th March 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/concerns-over-app-accused-of-promoting-bullying-35577836.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/concerns-over-app-accused-of-promoting-bullying-35577836.html</a></p>
