SayAt.Me App Guide for Parents & Educators

The SayAt.Me app is an anonymous website and app, on the Google Play Store, that allows users to gather feedback from others.

Parent & educator training video

What is the SayAt.Me app?

• SayAt.Me is an anonymous website and app, on the Google Play Store, that allows users to gather feedback from others
• Users create a unique feedback URL to share on other social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc...
• People write anonymous feedback about that user on their unique URL
• Feedback is sent privately to the user
• Users decide which feedback messages goes public. Once public, people can leave comments on that feedback
• When a user leaves feedback on someone’s URL, they have the ability to private message each other anonymously
• After being made aware that police were investigating a bullying related suicide associated with the app, SayAt.Me suspended their website but it is back online

SayAt.Me marketing Says

• With Sayat.me you can gather sincere and honest feedback from your social circle. Get feedback. Start growing. Become a better you!
• The feedback written stays anonymous, which helps people to be more open in their opinions. For example, you can use sayat.me, if you don't want to say something face to face because you are afraid of the other person's reaction
• ...You may write almost anything - what you like about the person or what you dislike; what type of characteristics he or she should develop further or what sort of character traits it would be better to suppress
• Honest feedback helps you find out how your own self-image differs from what other people see in you. If you're lucky, you may just as well be confirmed that others think you are just the sort of person you strive to be

Why should parents care?

• Anonymous apps are breeding grounds for cyberbullying behavior. Some students feel like they can hide behind anonymity on social media to hurt others
• SayAt.Me encourages users to compare their self-image to other people’s opinions which can be damaging to a developing tween or teen
• Users must be 16 or older to sign up, however it is really easy to sign up if you’re younger than 16 since there is no age verification process
• Apps that encourage users to privately message each other anonymously can bring out the worst in tweens and teens. Sometimes, students use apps like these to hide activity from their parents
• When opening a unique URL, SayAt.Me uses pop-ups to tell users to be nice to others and to select “Yes, I’ll be nice” or “NO, I’m a heckin’ bully”. However, if you select the bully option you are not restricted from leaving feedback or commenting on feedback

SayAt.Me App in the News

SayAt.Me has been under scrutiny since the death of [a 15 year old student] from England, who committed suicide after reportedly receiving bullying messages on the app. –The New York Times

[SayAt.Me] has been criticised for creating a vehicle for cyber-bullying among school children. –Telegraph

What users are saying about the SayAt.Me app

People I know have gotten hurtful and mean comments on here. This app is prone to bullying which is awful. Do not download.

It is a very bad app for children

Source: Common Sense Media

What can parents do?

• If your student uses SayAt.Me, have them delete their account and discuss the dangers of using it
• Have regular discussions with your student about positive online behavior and how social media can be used as a tool as opposed to a pass time
• When you’re ready for your student to be online, work with them to use apps that positively impact their digital footprint. Check out our Parent App Guide page and consider using the apps in our Green Zone (and be on all apps your kids are using)
• Teach your student that they do not need to follow every trend or download every popular app. When anonymous apps like SayAt.Me become popular with teens, encourage your student to think twice and ask a parent before using it

Additional Resources

With so many resources available and so many people wanting to help, suicide can be prevented. Check on your friends and family members often and let them know you’re there for them. Let’s work towards getting rid of the stigma of talking about mental health. 

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or call 911 immediately. If you’re uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can also text HOME to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.