Challenge the future Delft University of Technology Agent as a tool for teamwork Application: anti-cyberbullying agent Janneke van der Zwaan HART Workshop

2 Overview Background cyberbullying Anti-cyberbullying agent The team Issues for discussion

3 Background on cyberbullying Cyberbulling is ‘any behavior performed through electronic or digital media by individuals or groups that repeatedly communicates hostile or aggressive messages intended to inflict harm or discomfort on others’ (Tokunaga, 2010) Victimization rates: % 40% of victims is emotionally affected Frustrated, angry, sad, and not wanting to go to school 23% - 33% of victims does not talk to anyone

4 Anti-Cyberbullying Agent Embodied Conversational Agent (ECA) Supportive friend (peer) Target audience 10 – 17 year-olds Goal: to empower victims of cyberbullying Give emotional support to lower negative emotions Suggest steps the victim can take Support anti-bullying training

5 Disclaimer Technology will not solve the problem of cyberbullying! However, technology might be a useful tool Focus on average cases Not a replacement for professional help!

6 Mockup

7 The team ProfessionalChild AgentParent Teacher

8 ProfessionalChild AgentParent Teacher The team

9 Professional’s tasks ProfessionalChild AgentParent Teacher Professional  Agent Initialize (and update) training

10 Agent functionality ProfessionalChild AgentParent Teacher Agent  Child Practical advice Emotional support Information on Internet safety issues Support anti-bulling exercises Diary functionality …

11 Agent functionality ProfessionalChild AgentParent Teacher Agent  Professional Progress report

12 Agent functionality ProfessionalChild AgentParent Teacher Agent  Adult Alert in case of emergency

13 Issues (overview) Privacy Long term interaction/multiple interactions Evaluation Usability

14 Issue: privacy Assure child’s privacy vs. alerting adult participants Trusting the agent When to alert adult? Who to alert? Parent, teacher, therapist, …

15 Issue: Long term interaction/multiple interactions Bullying refers to multiple events over a period of time Flexible team composition

16 Issue: evaluation How to evaluate the team? Agent’s task is partly social Usability for professional and child Compare to results of anti-bullying trainings without agent Is it easier to evaluate team with one agent and multiple humans?

17 Issue: usability Agent should be easy to use Children should be able to use it Not increase workload of professional Using the agent should be fun