Overview

Help Maya is an interactive WhatsApp-based experience addressing knife violence among adolescents. The initiative features conversations with Maya — a digitally-rendered character informed by genuine accounts of bullying, fear and conflict escalation.

Development & approach

Collaboratively created with local law enforcement and community youth, the project reflects authentic teenage experiences. It combines storytelling with GPT-powered dialogue to establish a supportive environment for discussing difficult subjects and challenging perceptions about violence.

Impact & mechanism

The adaptive dialogue system personalizes each user’s journey, illustrating violence consequences through a character’s perspective. Participants can identify warning signals, emotional patterns and intervention opportunities. By centering empathy as central to prevention efforts, the project highlights practical alternatives including conflict de-escalation, adult guidance and community resources.

Goals

The initiative targets breaking cycles of silence and fear by equipping young people with communication skills and enabling communities to respond effectively. It exemplifies how digital tools, narrative techniques and partnership approaches generate meaningful social change.

Try it yourself: helpmaya.nl