Smile Train and the University of California, Santa Cruz Introduce Virtual Reality App to Address Cyberbullying and Support the Psychosocial Health of Children

Santa Cruz, CA – January 30, 2025 – Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, is excited to announce the launch of Smile Proud, a groundbreaking virtual reality app aimed at helping children navigate psychosocial challenges including bullying, self-esteem issues, and social anxiety. The app was developed in collaboration with University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Postdoctoral Researcher Tiffany Thang and Professor of Computational Media Sri Kurniawan, from Kurniawan’s ASSIST Lab, which focuses on developing assistive technologies for individuals facing unique challenges.

"Smile Proud is the first virtual reality app created specifically for children with clefts to tackle psychosocial challenges, though it has potential to benefit all children facing similar challenges," said Thang. “It’s designed for kids ages eight to 13 and walks them through real-life situations like joining a soccer game, handling cyberbullying, or meeting new people in the lunchroom. The app’s interactive approach gives children a safe, low-pressure environment to practice these important social skills before they face them in real life.”

Currently available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Tagalog, Smile Proud has already received positive feedback from users in Colombia, Brazil, and the Philippines, where it has been tested both independently and alongside psychologists, who provided personalized guidance and support.

“This app represents a culmination of years of research and collaboration,” said Kurniawan. “We’re excited about the possibility of expanding its reach to an even wider variety of children around the world.”

Smile Proud has the potential to benefit other vulnerable populations who have been bullied or marginalized for the way they look, opening new possibilities for broader usage. For example, Smile Train is currently supporting Sweden’s Kristianstad University in developing a psychosocial training program designed to teach healthcare workers to effectively use the app in therapy and counseling sessions.

"At Smile Train, we are always looking for ways to innovate and expand the impact of our work,” said Grace Peters, Manager, US & Europe at Smile Train. “Smile Proud is a perfect example of how technology can address not just the physical needs of children, but also their emotional and psychosocial well-being. As we continue to train practitioners and refine the app, our ultimate goal is to ensure that it reaches as many children as possible, empowering them to build confidence and navigate the world with resilience."

Every three minutes a child is born with a cleft, a birth difference that affects the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth and often makes eating, speaking, breathing, and hearing difficult. Children with untreated clefts are frequently stigmatized, isolated, and bullied so severely that a healthy and productive life becomes out of reach. Smile Train has supported 2+ million free cleft surgeries since their founding in 1999.

To learn more about the app, visit Smile Proud on Meta Quest | Quest VR Games | Meta Store.

About Smile Train

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children's lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train's sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org.

Media Contact:

Emily Gay | Public Relations Strategist
egay@smiletrain.org | (561) 308-0089