After School[1] was a proprietary iOS and Android, social network mobile application that allows users in a defined network, aimed at high schools, to share anonymous text-based posts and images with others.[2] As of July 2016, After School had users at more than 20,000 American high schools.[3]
| Type | Anonymous social network |
|---|---|
| Discontinued | Yes, service is offline |
| Discontinued | 1.99.94 (iOS) / February 18, 2019 |
| Operating system(s) | Android, iOS |
According to CEO Michael Callahan, the app was created as a network “that teens could use to express themselves, to reach out to others and to ask for and offer help to fellow teens in distress.”[4]
The app, created by Michael Callahan and Cory Levy of ONE, Inc., debuted in mid-November 2014. In the re-release of the app in April 2015,[5] After School implemented “mature content” filters, age verification, 24/7 live anonymous support, and FIRST (Fastest Internet Response System for Threats).[6] In February 2016, After School announced raising a $16.4 million Series A round.[4] The app also detects threatening or harmful messages using "language algorithms"[7] and "enforces a single-report immediate user removal for violations."[8]
While the service has not been formally discontinued, the website is offline and the applications are no longer available for download in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store as of 2020. It is now part of the Utah operation of Ancestry.com.
Criticism
editThe service has received criticism for enabling cyberbullying due to its anonymous nature and intended audience, as well as not being accessible by parents or teachers.[9]
Cofounders & acquisition
edit| Core team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Michael Callahan | Romain Declé-Nancy | Cory Levy |
The company's staff was acquired by Ancestry.com LLC in 2021. [10] Ancestry.com
References
edit- ^ "AfterSchool". afterschoolapp.com. Archived from the original on 2014-11-25. Retrieved 2015-10-23.
- ^ Wagner, Kurt. "Who Is Behind After School, the Anonymous App Taking Over American High Schools?". recode.com. re/code. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ^ "Crisis Text Line Brings Help to Troubled Teens Where They Live — Their Phones". 12 July 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
- ^ a b journalist, Larry Magid Technology (2016-02-03). "After School App Designed to Promote Kindness Say Founders | Huffington Post". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
- ^ Larson, Selena (7 April 2015). "After School attempts a comeback with bans on bullying". Dailydot.com. The Daily Dot. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ^ "First". AfterSchoolApp.com. After School. Archived from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ^ Thadani, Trisha (2018-01-29). "Anonymous app for teens tries to keep bullying at bay". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Polarchy, Michael (2018-02-28). "After School app raises concerns of bullying, inappropriate activity". Fox 8.
- ^ "I-Team: After School App-What You Need to Know". YouTube: FOX 5 Atlanta. 21 December 2015.
- ^ https://corylevy.com/
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