Vodafone Foundation launches TOZI cyberbullying app in Portugal

Vodafone Foundation in Portugal, in collaboration with the Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) has launched the TOZI app to combat cyberbullying and promote online safety among children and young people.

Portugal is the second European country to launch TOZI, following the August 2023 debut of the app in Ireland.

TOZI offers content to raise awareness and empower young people to deal with situations involving bullying and cyberbullying. These are issues that often occur outside the view of adults and are frequently hidden or avoided by victims.

Available as a free download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, TOZI builds awareness amongst young people through educational videos featuring stories of fictional characters.

TOZI in Portugal also gives young people direct access to APAV’s Victim Support Line, allowing users to obtain secure and effective guidance and support on digital addiction, cyberbullying, or privacy concerns.

APAV, in partnership with Vodafone Foundation Portugal, will also launch an awareness campaign in public schools during 2025.

The Portuguese version of TOZI is adapted from the launch app developed by the Vodafone Ireland Foundation in partnership with the Dublin City University Anti-Bullying Centre and Childline by ISPCC.

Digital harassment is a growing phenomenon, affecting one in six school-aged youth across Europe, according to a study by the WHO Regional Office conducted between 2018 and 2022.

One in eight young people surveyed admitted to engaging in cyberbullying, with boys (14%) more likely to exhibit such behaviour than girls (9%). The percentage of young people who are victims of this phenomenon is similar for girls and boys, at 16% and 15%, respectively.

Apps against abuse

Tozi is the latest in Vodafone Foundation’s ‘Apps Against Abuse’ portfolio. It aligns with the Vodafone Foundation’s goal of promoting inclusion and supporting vulnerable individuals across the various markets where Vodafone operates.

Designed to enable more people to live a life free from abuse, the range of apps include Bright Sky, which provides support to those impacted by domestic abuse, and Zoteria, which helps the LGBTQ+ community and wider public tackle the issue of hate crime.

Vodafone Foundation has used technology to connect more than 2.8 million people affected by domestic violence, abuse and hate crime to advice, support, and education.