JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Third graders in a Southside Estates Elementary classroom may look like they are playing Thursday. "They are gamers. They started on these tablets, and they knew exactly what to do," said Dr. Terri Wall.
But with a touch of their tiny fingers, they are learning a lesson that will last a lifetime. "Lets them know that they are not alone. That it's not just happening to them," she said.
These kids are using the Awesome Upstander app. It's a program doctors with St. Vincent Healthcare and Florida Blue hopes will put a stop to bullying.
"It effects their learning. It effects their sense of self confidence. It can lead to depression and anxiety. And in the worse case scenario, some kids actually end up committing suicide," said psychologist, Dr. Wall.
There are multiple levels in the game, each one teaching the player the right way to handle a bully. "If there is an adult or parent around, you can go and tell them," said Quintinn Jones.
"And for the kid who is a bully, it also raise awareness that what they are doing is not a good thing to do," said Dr. Wall.
It's new technology being used to help fix an old problem. "It makes it fun to learn about something that is really important," said Dr. Wall.
And these doctors say it could one day save lives. Third graders will be playing this game in Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St John county schools.
