The Duke of Cambridge has praised a new app to help children battle cyberbullying, hailing the “positive and practical” steps to stop young people sending or receiving nasty messages.

The BBC Own It app, which sends young users prompts to check whether they definitely want to send personal information or insults from their mobile phones, was developed by the corporation after the Duke assembled a “cyberbullying taskforce” to tackle the growing problem.

Launched today, it will allow children and teenagers to download a special keyboard which offers real-time interventions when they use certain words.

Hailing it, the Duke of Cambridge said : “It is fantastic the BBC has launched an app which will provide support to young people as they navigate the online world.

“I am delighted to see this positive and practical outcome resulting from The Royal Foundation Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying.”