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Terre Haute Company Develops Software That Detects Online Bullying

Last updated on Sunday, September 22, 2013

(TERRE HAUTE) - A central Indiana company which created software that can detect signs of online bullying has won an innovation award.

Plainfield, Ind.-based Social Net Watcher was honored by Centric, a nonprofit that promotes the development of new Indiana businesses, with its 2013 Innovation Award.

Terre Haute native Bruce Canal founded Social Net Watcher. He tells the Tribune-Star the software's algorithm checks students' statements on Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets for certain phrases that can indicate cyberbullying is underway.

He says the software went into production in January 2013 and is now being used in a dozen schools in five states.

Anti-bullying legislation that took effect July 1 in Indiana requires schools to investigate all reports of bullying and submit a report to the state each year.

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