A journal that's really yours.
Write or record your thoughts. Only you can see them: not your family, not your guardians, and not OurDot.
The journal is the one place in OurDot that guardians can't see. Optional prompts and a mood pick help you start. If an entry sounds like you're really struggling, your phone shows where to find help, and nothing is sent anywhere.
Why guardians can't see it
Kids and teens need somewhere to think things through without an audience. Research on expressive writing suggests putting feelings into words can help, though results for young people are mixed. A journal only helps if it feels safe to be honest, so OurDot keeps it truly private. Read the research on journaling.
The "are you okay?" check
If an entry sounds like someone is in real trouble, the phone itself shows help resources, like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US. The check runs on the phone, nothing is sent anywhere, and nobody is told. It's there so no one has to search for help alone.
Talk instead of type
Record a voice entry on days when writing feels like too much. Like everything in the journal, it's private to you.
When an account is deleted
Journal entries are deleted with the account.
Common questions
Can parents read their child’s OurDot journal?
No. The journal is private to the writer, including from guardians and from the OurDot team.
What happens if my child writes something worrying?
The phone shows help resources, like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Nothing is sent and nobody is notified, so the journal stays a safe place to be honest. Guardians still have an always-open guardian line with their child.