Work & Advocacy

Trisha's journey to make the world a better place

Highlights of Trisha's award-winning work and global advocacy to promote digital safety, inclusivity and youth empowerment

Nov 2023

ReThink is named 1st place winner of the CTIA Wireless Catalyst Fund 2023

Trisha's invention ReThink is selected as the first-place winner among a dynamic group of social entrepreneurs who are taking advantage of the power of wireless to solve pressing issues in American communities. ReThink was awarded a grant for making meaningful advances through wireless and tapping into the powerful infrastructure for social good that 5G offers.
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October 2023

Trisha is recognized as a Mozilla Rise25 Honoree

Trisha is recognized as being one of the five builders/technologists that is shaping today's internet as a powerful vehicle of imagination and connection to keep it open, accessible and meaningful to everyone.
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Aug'23

Trisha receives funding from Harry and Meghan's Archewell Foundation

Naperville native Trisha Prabhu was awarded national funding from 14 organizations, including Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan’s, Archewell Foundation, to tackle cyberbullying and educate youths on digital literacy. Prabhu’s nonprofit, ReThink Citizens, was awarded $50,000, which will go toward bringing technology and educational materials to youths in the Caribbean.
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June 2023

Trisha launches ReThink Citizens, a 501(c)(3)non-profit organization

Trisha launches ReThink Citizens, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission to end online and offline hate in all schools and communities. By making ReThink's transformative anti-cyberbullying technology and educational materials available to youth globally, Trisha aims to cultivate a new generation of Upstanders that will proactively combat online harassment.
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June 2023

2023 Asian Women of Achievement Award goes to Trisha!

Trisha is honored as the recipient of the 2023 Asian Women of Achievement Award in the "Technology and Digital" category for her work to tackle cyberbullying with ReThink. The AWA Award celebrates phenomenal Asian women based in the UK that are making a valuable and important contribution to society. Trisha uses the opportunity to speak to the importance of elevating diverse voices in the tech and innovation words.
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May 2023

Trisha's book "ReThink the Internet" released in paperback!

Trisha's debut book, ReThink the Internet, is released in paperback, making the book available to new readers across the USA!
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Mar 2023

ReThink named winner of     SXSW Mayor's Matchup Civic Tech Pitch Competition

ReThink is named the winner of South by Southwest (SXSW)'s Mayors' Matchup Civic Tech Pitch Competition, selected for its potential to take on a key challenge addressing major US cities and communities today. Trisha is awarded the chance to pitch ReThink at the US Conference of Mayors' Annual Meeting.
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Mar 2023

ReThink partners up with Adyan Foundation to bring ReThink to Lebanon!

ReThink officially launches an Elevate Prize-funded partnership with Lebanon-based Adyan Foundation, with the goal of bringing the ReThink technology, educational curriculum, and anti-hate advocacy to students in Lebanon.
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Feb 2022-23

ReThink introduced to Cheshire via Cybercrime constabulatory

Trisha and ReThink collaborate with Cheshire Cybercrime constabulary in Cheshire, England, UK to introduce the ReThink concept, message, and technology to 40K students across Cheshire.
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Jan 2023

ReThink the Internet selected as an 2023 ILLINOIS READS pick!

ReThink the Internet is selected as a 2023 ILLINOIS READS pick, just one of 36 books honored statewide. The ILLINOIS READS program is designed to encourage reading among all age groups in Illinois. ReThink the Internet was selected for the 6th - 8th grade category, encouraged to be read by all 6th - 8th grade students statewide.
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Summer 2022

Penguin Random House releases "ReThink The Internet" book with Trisha!

"ReThink The Internet," Trisha's debut book, was released by Penguin Random House in the summer of 2022. Part user manual, part manifesto, this middle grade book will guide young readers through their first experiences with the Internet.
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Safer Internet Day 2021 with ConnectSafely

2021

On Safer Internet Day 2021, Trisha joined a "talented group of people from the worlds of education, technology, nonprofits and law enforcement about a range of urgent issues, including online toxicity, the racial justice movement, free speech, the battle against misinformation, and the very real pressure to be 'perfect.'"

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2021

ReThink message introduced to 18 Caribbean countries

ReThink message was introduced to 70+ Rotary Clubs, 45+ Rotaract clubs, and 65+ Interact clubs in 18 Caribbean countries/regions during a Rotary Youth Leadership event. To support this effort, ReThink was released in 2 new international languages: French and Dutch.
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                   Youngest Honoree

2021

At just 20 years old, Trisha becomes the youngest honoree named to Forbes' 30 Under 30 2021 Social Impact List for her work with ReThink.

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Trisha wins
MIT Solve's Elevate Prize

2020

Selected from a group of thousands, Trisha becomes the youngest winner of MIT Solve's prestigious "Elevate Prize." As a winner, Trisha receives 2 years of mentorship to advance ReThink.

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ReThink joins the Top 20 finalists for the philantrophic Elevate Prize

2020

"The Elevate Prize Foundation, in partnership with MIT Solve, announces its top 20 finalists in the running for the inaugural Elevate Prize, including ReThink. The Prize plans awards to 10 changemakers tackling the most compelling global challenges of our time. The renowned, 21-member judging panel, including Chef José Andres, María Elena Salinas, Yo-Yo Ma, and some of the brightest minds in business, academia and humanitarian efforts, came to consensus after a robust evaluation process."

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Harvard Kennedy School honors Trisha

2020

Trisha is named an Adrian Cheng Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School's Social Innovation and Change Initiative. She receives a rigorous Fellowship experience to advance ReThink.

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ReThink wins big at Harvard's President's Innovation Challenge

2019

Trisha becomes the youngest-ever Grand Prize Winner of Harvard's President's Innovation Challenge, a competition for innovators at all of Harvard's 12 schools.

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ReThink is a winner at
Harvard College's i3 Innovation Challenge

2019

Trisha receives a McKinley Family Grant For Entrepreneurial Leadership in a Social Enterprise in Harvard College's i3 Innovation Challenge, taking home a silver medal. The Challenge is considered Harvard's "premier start-up competition," and sponsored by Harvard's Technology and Entrepreneurship Center.

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Trisha funds a Green Screen Room at the Naperville Public Library

2018

Returning to her roots, Trisha donates the cash prize she receives for her win of the WebMD Health Hero Award towards development of a Green Screen Room in the Naperville Public Library. Trisha says that she hopes the room will allow children in Naperville and the surrounding area to pursue creative digital projects.

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The US State Department brings ReThink's message to 134 nations worldwide

2018

ShareAmerica is the U.S. Department of State’s platform for communicating American foreign policy worldwide. Through the program, ShareAmerica brought the ReThink message abroad: "Seventeen-year-old Trisha Prabhu of Naperville, Illinois, isn’t your typical high school student. She’s been a high-tech innovator since age 13, when she created the ReThink app — a patented technology that aims to reduce cyberbullying by teenagers. Prabhu designed the app after hearing about a 12-year-old Florida girl who killed herself after being tormented online. While the app doesn’t aim to inhibit free speech, or prevent people from expressing their views, it can help teens protect their peers — and often, themselves — from impulsive behavior with very real consequences...."

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Trisha's ReThink message featured in Bollywood star
Mr. Shah Rukh Khan's Playlist

2017

World-renowned actor Shah Rukh Khan hosts a series of TED talks on "Nayi Soch" (new thinking) in Mumbai, India. A fan of Trisha's talk, he includes her talk in his personally curated TED talk playlist: "Please enjoy these talks that I hope capture your heart as they did mine."

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Trisha delivers TED talk in India

2017

Trisha gives a TED talk in India in Hindi on ReThinking cyberbullying; in partnership with Star TV's Nayi Soch" campaign.

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Trisha is elected the first female Youth Governor of Illinois in 28 years

2017

Selected by a constituency of over 900 students, Trisha is elected to the position of Youth Governor of Illinois, overseeing a 4-day government simulation from the Governor's office in Springfield, Illinois.

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Trisha honored with WebMD Health Hero Prodigy Award

2016

Trisha is named WebMD's Prodigy Health Hero of the Year; she is honored at a gala hosted by Robin Roberts and featuring Seth Rogen and Sarah Wynter.

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Boosterthon partners with ReThink to spread its anti-hate message

2016

Boosterthon brings the ReThink tool and message, as well as Trisha's journey, to over to 5M students around the country via its educational materials.

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President Obama invites Trisha as a U.S. Delegate to 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit

2016

President Obama & The U.S. State Department invite Trisha, as one of the world's top entrepreneurs, to represent the United States at the prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Summit, hosted at Stanford University.

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ReThink on ABC's Shark Tank

2016

At just 16, Trisha pitches ReThink on ABC's Shark Tank to 6 Sharks, where she receives an investment offer from Mark Cuban and Lori Grenier.

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ReThink takes home
MIT INSPIRE's
1st Place Aristotle Award

2016

MIT INSPIRE awards Trisha the Aristotle Award (a 1st place) for the scientific research behind ReThink.

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Trisha is appointed to the Tyler Clementi Foundation's Board

2016

As a winner of the 2016 Tyler Clementi Foundation Upstander Legacy Award, Trisha was later appointed to the Tyler Clementi Foundation's Board; subsequently, in 2019, she was appointed to the Advisory Council.

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The State of Michigan partners with ReThink

2016

The State of Michigan selects ReThink as its preferred anti-bullying tool and rolls it out to 1.3M+ students in the state.

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Trisha & ReThink featured on the
Steve Harvey Show

2016

Trisha is featured in Steve Harvey's #BullyingEndsHere show

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Google Play selects ReThink as one of "Top 5 Most Innovative Apps"

2016

For its work to end cyberbullying on devices around the globe, Google Play honors the ReThink app, featuring the technology at its Worldwide Developers' Conference.

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Trisha keynotes at Girls Who Code's 5th Anniversary Gala

2016

Trisha is invited by Girls Who Code Founder Ms. Reshma Saujani to deliver a keynote on the power of women and people of color to change the world with code. Trisha speaks to an audience of over 300 at the event.

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Scholastic features ReThink in classrooms worldwide

2015

Scholastic Magazines brings the ReThink message to educational communities worldwide. Over 900,000 issues of the Scope Magazine reach 9000 schools, 557,000 copies of Action Magazine reach 7,000 schools, and 208,000 copies of Junior Scholastic magazines reach over 3,300 schools.

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Trisha introduces ReThink at La Ciudad de las Ideas

2015

Trisha delivers a keynote speech on ReThink and its power to end online hate at La Ciudad de las Ideas in Puebla, Mexico.

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Trisha keynotes at the International Bullying Prevention Association

2015

Trisha was invited to deliver a Keynote Speech at the International Bullying Prevention Association in Denver, Colorado. With school administrators, teachers, and parents from around the world in attendance, Trisha shared the ReThink message: to stop cyberbullying before the damage is done.

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Rep. Bill Foster announces Trisha as winner of the 2015 Congressional App Challenge

2015

Trisha is named a winner of the 2015 Congressional App Challenge amongst applicants from Representative Bill Foster's constituency.

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ReThink app featured on ABC's Good Morning America

2015

ABC's Good Morning America covers the ReThink app's release on the Google Play Store. A few weeks later, ReThink is made available on the iOS App Store.

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Trisha brings ReThink to U.S. DOD's Military Child Education Coalition

2015

As a panelist at the Military Child Education Coalition's National Training Seminar in Washington, D.C. Trisha Prabhu shares with fellow panel members and audience members her real-life experiences with cyberbullying and how she chose to make a difference. DoD photo by Marvin Lynchard.

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Trisha is a featured speaker at
WE Day Illinois

2015

Trisha is invited to speak at We Day Illinois, an event for changemaking youth, to one of her largest in-person audiences: over 18K civically engaged middle and high school students.

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Trisha shares ReThink vision at TEDxGateway in Mumbai

2015

Trisha gives a TEDx talk on ReThink in Mumbai, India, for an audience of thousands.

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Trisha is named a
Global Teen Leader

2015

Trisha is named a Global Teen Leader by the We Are Family Foundation, and is invited to NYC to hone changemaking and activist skills.

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2015

Along with 250 other VIP guests, Trisha is invited to White House by President Obama to exhibit ReThink at the White House Science Fair.

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Trisha is featured in SuperBowl 2015 #makeithappy Campaign

2015

Trisha and ReThink are featured in Coca Cola's 2015 #makeithappy SuperBowl campaign

Trisha is featured in Coca Cola's 2015 #makeithappy SuperBowl campaign

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Cyberbullying.gov features
Trisha's ReThink initiative

2014

In an interview with Cyberbullying.gov, Trisha shared her work with Dr. Sameer Hinduja, cyberbullying researcher and leading expert. Said Dr. Hinduja: "This year, I’ve enjoyed being in touch with Trisha Prabhu, a 14-year-old freshman at Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois. In the fall of 2013, after hearing about a young girl’s suicide because of cyberbullying, she set out to design a long-term solution to cyberbullying. Her work led her to the product Rethink, which won a spot as a Google Science Fair 2014 Global Finalist."

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Trisha speaks at TEDxTeen

2014

Trisha first shares the ReThink story publicly at TEDxTeen London. To date, her talk has been viewed over 1M times on YouTube.

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Trisha is named as a Google Science Fair Global Finalist

2014

Trisha is named a Google Science Fair Global Finalist for her extensive research investigating the efficacy of ReThink. Over 93% of the time, she learns, ReThink works to stop the hurtful message and stop the damage before it is done.

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Trisha is inspired to take action to stop online hate

2013

At age 13, Trisha first learns of the suicide of a 12-year-old girl following a year and a half of cyberbullying. Shocked and heartbroken, Trisha decides to be an Upstander, not a bystander to the issue. Trisha's award-winning research into the brain and behavior resulted in her invention ReThink, a technology where in adolescents have a moment to pause, review and rethink before posting anything hurtful online. With efficacy rate of over 93%, adolescents change their minds and do not post a hurtful message with ReThink. ReThink is the first ever transformational solution to stop the damage before it is done.

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Join Trisha in making this world a better place for everyone!

With ReThink let's end online hate - one message at a time. ReThink before you type, ReThink before the damage is done!

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