MyMob Press Release 30.09.19
“The Phone hasn’t stopped!” MyMob app users demand funding be reinstated!
A recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald on Sunday September 29th, entitled ‘Judges mandate app for separated parents” about our family community app, MyMob used by families, including separated families, to communicate with their children and for parents to share information with one another in a safer, transparent and non-reactive space. The article points out that Stepfamilies Australia and drummond street have been forced to decommission the app unless there is government or philanthropic funding to support the necessary technical upgrades to keep it operating.
“The phone hasn’t stopped! We’ve been inundated with concerns that the app is untenable in its current form and want to know how they can support MyMob’s sustainability.” says Karen Field, CEO of Stepfamilies Australia and drummond street services.
Karen continues “Members of the community have asked if they can donate money to us to keep the app going? This support is welcome, but even though it is not a typical ‘bricks and mortar’ type service, being virtual, it should be supported by ongoing government funding.
Governments give funding to big tech companies but still seem slow in recognising how technology can augment direct services. MyMob gives families access to information and support, as well as their ability to manage their own communication and parenting obligations, outside the business hours of services”.
Government and the community need to do more to ensure access and services need to fit into how families want to access information and support now”.
“As a not-for-profit organisation it’s a hard situation to be in. We really want to keep this app available, as we know it fulfils a need for some many children and their family arrangements, and its potential for separated parents. However, it is simply about not having enough money to keep up! Without it, we have to call it quits. It’s deeply upsetting.”
The app has features for family members to stay in touch in a child-friendly way that supports child safety. It has filters to safeguard children and parents from negative communications and allows children to share what’s happening in their life, irrespective where their parents live. It’s is interactive and allowing parents and children to share special moments in co-parenting or shared parenting arrangements.
With a significant number of MyMob users asked to use this app as a result of a court order, along with families wanting a good communication tool in their day to day lives it’s proves there is a significant need for such an app to continue. We would love to see some financial support from government and philanthropists to keep MyMob available to Australian children and families.
For comment or for more information please call 03 9663 6733
