Serbian parenting app conquers the world, with a twist on its 2nd birthday

In February 2022, parents in Europe and Central Asia received a gift: the mobile app "Bebbo – your companion in parenting", stemming from a Serbian prototype of the renowned phone counseling service "HaloBeba". This month, for its second anniversary, the Bebbo app was declared a digital public good, thanks to significant recognition from the international alliance "Digital Public Good Alliance".

The Serbian app has transcended borders, reaching 14 countries and over 16 languages. In February 2024, Bebbo celebrates over a million downloads on a regional scale and is soon embarking on a journey to three more countries.

Parents using the Serbian version of the app are grateful that Bebbo is always one step ahead with tailored guidance covering all important aspects of parenting and child care.

According to a survey, 80% of parents agree that Bebbo helps them better understand their child's needs and signals, support their child's development, and feel greater parental confidence. It's a great success that 90% of respondents say they are satisfied or very satisfied with the app.

The innovative nature of this app, which is constantly evolving, lies in the ability to personalize content according to each child's age, providing parents with tailored advice and tools.

Parents most intensively use the app in the first 1,000 days of their child's life, but it also offers guidance for developmental support, tips for playing with the child up to school entry.

Among parents' favorite articles, especially in the first months, are those explaining how to connect and communicate with the baby, how the mutual adjustment unfolds upon the baby's arrival, how to support the baby's free exploration, why vaccines are safe, how they boost immunity and protect the child from diseases, why healthy daily routines are important, as well as family activities and games that stimulate imagination and creativity in children, and techniques to manage parental stress.

This resource is a result of collaboration between UNICEF, the City Institute of Public Health Belgrade, Nordeus company, which funded and technically supported the development of the Serbian prototype, and the regional expansion of the app supported by the UNICEF Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, as well as international donors, including the LEGO Foundation.

The Bebbo app is a prime example of how technology, in synergy with expertise in early development, can help not only strengthen parental abilities but also create a better environment for children!

You can download it today via GooglePlay (Android) or AppStore (iPhone).