For Parents

We are so happy you’re here!

Stymie helps your child to say something by enabling them to report all kinds of concerns, safely and anonymously. 

  • The bystander effect occurs when the presence of others discourages us from intervening in an emergency situation.
  • Social influence affects how many children behave, so they are less likely to stand up to inappropriate behaviours in public when the number of onlookers is high.
  • Often our children are burdened by serious issues involving their friends but don’t know how to help.

Rather than trying to work against all of these pressures, our solution recognises the nuanced nature of their social currency, by providing them with a safe place to start a conversation.

Benefits for your child

Fostering a safe environment
Students make notifications about depression, anxiety, suicide ideation, cyberbullying, bullying, illegal activity and self-harm. Your child can also ask to see a counsellor through a Stymie Notification.

Enabling early intervention
The anonymous nature of Stymie means that students often make notifications sooner rather than later; enabling early intervention by the relevant contact at school or allied health agency.

Alleviating anxiety and stress
Encouraging students to make notifications through Stymie can help reduce levels of anxiety associated with concealing stressful information. We call this anxiety vicarious trauma.

Encouraging pro-social behaviour
Promoting a culture of care is important in every community. Empowering students as the agents of change, means they have an opportunity to put their empathy into action.

Providing a solution
Stymie may point your child in the right direction if they have experienced or witnessed harm; a definitive course of action that may enable a life-changing conversation.

Stymie at your school

Any child at a Stymie-registered school can make a notification about someone they believe is being bullied or harmed. This notification is automatically forwarded to the school, and managed by the appropriate members of staff.

  • Each school has their own process for dealing with notifications according to their wellbeing framework.
  • Schools have a standard investigative process that they follow. Notifications are generally explored and followed up before they are acted on. 
  • For your child and their peers, knowing that they have a safe place to pass on information can be a great source of comfort and relief.

Each day, more than 100,000 students stay at home because they feel unsafe at school. Solving the complex problems caused by the cycle of bullying has to be a community initiative. Everyone will benefit from the added safety that Stymie can provide—students, parents, educators and the wider community. If you are interested in exploring Stymie or would like to present to your P&C or PTA group, please don’t hesitate to contact us.