[prMac.com] Gilbert, Arizona - Dapper Gentlemen are very excited with their app Ugly Meter, which is being publicized as an alleged "Bully Tool". Ugly Meter has got 3 million downloads on iTunes app store and shows no sign of slowing down. As the app advances popularity, parental groups and media outlets alike are annoyed that the app, which takes a picture and scans it using facial recognition, generates derogatory and hurtful comments based on your 'ugliness score.'
"Your face looks like it was in the dryer with a bunch of rocks" it might say, or "When you walk past a bathroom, the toilet flushes." These remarks and photos can then be posted on social media networks like Facebook or Twitter, possibly without the victim knowing. 
Now that the Ugly Meter has reached the 3 million users mark, bullies are allegedly using it nationwide in many of our public schools, most likely under the radar of school administrators and staff.
"The existence of the Ugly Meter application does make clear the increased need of kid’s education related to technology as the age at which individuals are exposed to the Internet and applications steadily become younger. ... In the school environment, educators should also look out for their students' well-being."
Dr. Gwenn O'Keeffe, author of "Cybersafe: Protecting and Empowering Kids in the Digital World of Texting, Gaming and Social Media", seems to agree. "There's a fine line between teasing and razzing one another, ... [This app] is just hurtful. It could have crushing blows on kids with low self-esteem. There's just nothing good that could come from an app like this."
Awareness Technologies, a cyber-tool development company that many parents use to monitor their kid's online activities, issued a warning to parents saying, "A newly released $0.99 iPhone app called "The Ugly Meter" is the latest tool that creates chances for cyber-bullying, the online pandemic causing severe emotional and psychological pain to children across the nation. ... Apps like The Ugly Meter are ripe for cyberbullies to use in tormenting their peers."
So far the creators of the app hold that its purpose is for 'fun' and 'humorous purposes'. One of the creators, Jo Overline remarked to news outlets: "All of our insults are PG-rated. We kept it pretty clean on purpose. There will always be bullies out there and we can't control what they do. Parents need to take responsibility for their own children and stop trying to blame the media."
For better or for worse, in this modern age of instant messages and social media it's becoming more difficult to find a space not occupied by the thoughts and opinions of others.
Device Requirements:
* iPhone, 4G iPod touch
* iPad 2 Wi-Fi, and iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G
* Requires iOS 3.0 or later
* 11.1 MB
Pricing and Availability:
Ugly Meter 2.76 is $0.99 (USD) and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Entertainment category. Promo codes are available for qualified reviewers. Please specify the website or blog you represent when making your request.
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